Hyderabad, Feb 3 (IANS) The Duleep Trophy cricket final between South and West Zone here is being played in front of empty stands at Rajiv Gandhi Internatiional Stadium with the authorities deciding to keep spectators out due to the ongoing protests over Telangaga issue.

The opening ceremony and the first match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) were cancelled for the same reason.

Policemen are guarding the entrance of the stadium to prevent any untoward incident.

"We do not want to take any chances of the match being disrupted. It is embarrassing for a big match to go on like this without any spectators, but things are not in our control," said Shivlal Yadav, vice president, Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).

Last month, a Twenty20 match was disrupted by protesters and HCA does not want a repeat of the episode.

South Zone captain Dinesh Karthik, who hit an unbeaten 161 to take his team to 356 for six at stumps on the opening day Tuesday, said it is something that you don't want to see as a cricketer.

"You will feel bad about it, especially if you are living in the city," said Karthik said.