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The Indian cricket team will have the backing of a group of cheerleaders when they play England in a one-day international next week.
However, skimpy costumes will be nowhere in sight as the high-kickers have had special Lycra saris made for the occasion.
The Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) reportedly called in the dancing girls to give the home side a little extra support.
OCA secretary Ashirbad Behera told The Times: "This is the first time a one-day international will feature cheerleading girls. But I will not have them dressing up in short skirts, as it would be against our culture and traditions. Our audience won't accept it."
There has been some opposition to the team's new backers, with historian Ramchandra Guha saying: "Why we always have to borrow the worst of the Western world is beyond me."
