Security four years ago after Shiv Shena damaged a test match ground

Police said that some members of the right-wing Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party were responsible - three people have been arrested.

Officials say the match will go ahead on schedule on 24 December as the main pitch did not suffer any damage.

Shiv Sena said their action was in protest at Pakistani policies.

'Reserve pitch'

"We have tightened security around the stadium," senior Agra police official Ashutosh Pandey told the BBC.

Members of the Shiv Sena said they had dug up what the organisers described as the "reserve" pitch.

"We condemn the policies of Pakistan and oppose the holding of cricket matches till Pakistan brings an end to terrorism," a local party leader told AFP. The organisers have condemned the incident.

"Damaging the pitch is an immature act.. it cannot be justified when the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is taking the initiative for normalcy between both countries," a member of the match organising committee said.

The Indian and Pakistani veteran cricketers will play a three-match series in India.

Relations between India and Pakistan have thawed recently-and the Indian government cleared a tour of its regular cricket team to Pakistan next year.