Cuttack: On Sunday, play was stopped for twenty minutes during the second One Day International (ODI) between India and England at the Barabati Stadium because of a floodlight failure. this incident was immediately sorted out.
After months of absence, it was the first international cricket match in Cuttack, and the game started on a positive note. Batting first, England made it to 304 runs. India’s reply began brightly as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill raced to 48 runs in 37 balls. But the flow was halted when one of the floodlight towers went out, leaving part of the stadium in darkness.
Umpires had no other option than to halt the play for a brief duration as the visibility faltered. Technicians attempted to sort out the problem while players from both teams were ushered off the field. Fortunately for fans, players, and the match itself, the floodlights came back on after a 20-minute delay, and the play resumed.
However, the incident led to criticism on social media, with fans and cricket lovers doubting the OCA’s preparedness to host high-profile international matches. Even the Barabati Stadium itself has faced allegations of substandard facilities and poor arrangements in the past, making one question whether the venue is up to international standards.
Still, the match did not stop as India was chasing England’s score. BCCI and OCA will likely review this matter and ensure such instances do not happen again.
Meanwhile, cricket lovers have also focused on the blockbuster contest between India and England, hoping that the game will be free of interruptions and reach an exciting climax. The unfortunate incident raises the question of whether world-class infrastructure is needed to keep the spirit of the sport alive.
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