Cricket fever has gripped Odisha once again as thousands of fans began gathering outside Barabati Stadium from Wednesday evening to secure tickets for the first T20I between India and South Africa, scheduled to be played on Sunday.

Despite biting cold and dense fog, supporters from across the state and beyond refused to be deterred. Wrapped in jackets, sweaters and shawls, many carried newspapers to sit on while waiting overnight. Fans have travelled from far-flung districts like Balasore, Brahmapur, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Phulbani and Mayurbhanj. Women fans too joined the long queues in large numbers.

Only 10,000 tickets have been kept for general public sale, which will begin at 9 am on Thursday from counters near the stadium. Anticipating huge rush, hundreds started arriving from Wednesda

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