IND vs NZ 2026: Nagpur police to use AI technology to ensure tight security during 1st T20I

With a sold-out Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium for the first T20I between India and New Zealand, it is expected that over 45,000 spectators will turn up for the contest. The Nagpur Police have announced the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based technology to ensure foolproof security and smooth crowd management during the first T20I on January 21.

Given Nagpur’s cricket following and the history of crowd-related incidents at the venue, authorities are leaving nothing to chance. The

city, with a population of around 30 lakh, is bracing for an influx of fans, leading the police to adopt advanced surveillance and traffic-control measures for the first time at an international cricket match.

Nagpur Police will deploy AI-powered cameras and applications across and around the Jamtha Stadium to monitor crowds in real time. These systems are capable of facial recognition, weapon detection, and behavioural analysis, allowing authorities to quickly identify potential threats. The cameras will be directly linked to the police’s criminal database, enabling instant alerts if any individual with a criminal record is spotted in the crowd.

This will help prevent bottlenecks and unnecessary congestion: Deputy Commissioner of Police

Deputy Commissioner of Police Lohit Matani confirmed that AI will also be used to detect sharp weapons, firearms, or suspicious movements. Furthermore, AI Inspector and Nirikshak tools will assist in scanning thousands of faces simultaneously, significantly enhancing surveillance efficiency.

"As soon as one parking zone reaches capacity, vehicles will be diverted to the next available location. This will help prevent bottlenecks and unnecessary congestion,” Matani explained.

Traffic and parking management will also rely heavily on AI. The ‘Parking Pal’ application will provide real-time updates on available parking slots, ensuring vehicles are diverted efficiently once a zone reaches capacity. Fans have been advised to use public transport, including the Metro, while heavy vehicle movement on match-day routes will be restricted to avoid congestion.

It is worth noting that India and New Zealand have faced each other in 25 T20Is so far, with the former winning 14 and the latter 10, while one match ended in a tie. Despite India’s strong home record in Nagpur, New Zealand enters with confidence after a recent ODI series win over India.