BHUBANESWAR - The Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) has scrapped its idea to have sari-clad cheerleaders perform during the day-night ODI between India and Sri Lanka at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack Dec 21.

“We have decided to drop the idea. We had planed to project our culture during the match. But our priority is to organise the match properly,” said Ashirbad Behera, OCA secretary, after a meeting.

Earlier the association had decided to introduce sari-clad cheerleaders to boost the crowd during the ODI. The association had planned that cheerleaders wearing Sambalpuri saris — made of tie-and-dye handwoven textile — would perform whenever a boundary is hit or a wicket falls.

But the move had invited a lot of criticism within the state and outside. A fringe political outfit Kalinga Sena had threatened to disrupt the match if OCA introduced sari-clad cheerleaders.

The OCA has also decided to tighten security during the match keeping in view the request of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board. Armed policemen will stand guard during the match.