A floodlight failure caused an unexpected disruption in the second One-Day International (ODI) between India and England at the Barabati Stadium on Sunday. The match was halted in the seventh over of India’s innings as one of the floodlight towers malfunctioned, forcing players off the field and creating an embarrassing situation for the organisers. (More Cricket News)
India, chasing a target of 305 set by England, were comfortably placed at 48 for no loss in 6.1 overs when the issue surfaced. Skipper Rohit Sharma, looking in sublime touch, had raced to 29 off 18 balls with three sixes and a four, while his opening partner Shubman Gill was on 17 off 19 deliveries with three boundaries.
The problem first appeared around 6:15 PM when some bulbs in one of the eight floodlight towers flickered and briefly went off. While the lights were restored within minutes, the issue resurfaced after just one delivery was bowled in the seventh over. This time, most of the bulbs went off, leaving the field in partial darkness and making it difficult for play to continue.
Despite efforts from the organisers to fix the issue quickly, the recurring failure forced the umpires to take the players off the field. The 45,000-strong crowd, witnessing an international match in Cuttack after more than four years, made the most of the interruption by turning on their phone flashlights, creating a spectacular atmosphere inside the stadium. The public address system even encouraged fans to participate, adding an unusual but vibrant touch to the delay.
The disruption added to the challenges faced by the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), which had already struggled to manage the massive turnout. Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the stadium gates, with police resorting to lathi charges to control the unruly crowd. Even the press box saw unauthorised individuals entering, adding to the disarray.
The floodlight failure is a major embarrassment for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), raising questions about infrastructure readiness for high-profile matches. While play eventually resumed after the delay, the incident highlighted the need for better planning and management in hosting international fixtures.
As India looked to build on their strong start in pursuit of England’s total of 304, the unexpected break disrupted the game’s momentum. However, with Rohit Sharma in fine form, the hosts remained in a commanding position when play resumed.
