February 9th 2025.
The 2nd ODI match between India and England at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium was off to a strong start on Sunday, with both teams playing with great energy. However, the game came to a sudden halt due to a floodlight malfunction, causing a major embarrassment for the BCCI. The hosts were cruising at 48 for none in their chase of 305 when one of the eight floodlights near the clock tower failed, forcing players to leave the field.
This issue first arose around 6:15pm when some floodlights briefly went off, but the power supply was quickly restored. However, just moments later, the lights went out completely, leaving the players frustrated. Skipper Rohit Sharma, who was in an excellent form, had already scored 29 runs off 18 balls with three sixes and a four. His partner, Shubman Gill, was also playing well with 17 runs off 19 balls and three boundaries.
The players waited for five minutes before finally deciding to leave the field, while the 45,000-strong crowd turned the moment into a spectacle by dancing to the blaring music. The organizers even encouraged fans to use their phone flashlights, creating an electrifying atmosphere despite the temporary halt in the game.
Hosting its first ODI in over four years, the OCA had taken strict security measures, but they struggled to manage the overflowing crowd. Chaos ensued at the gates, with the police having to resort to lathi charges to control the unruly fans. The disorder also extended to the press box, where several unauthorized individuals managed to enter, adding to the confusion.
The OCA had allowed free access to more than 25,000 fans during India's practice session on the eve of the match, which added to the already chaotic situation. Despite the unexpected interruption, both teams were determined to finish the match and provide an entertaining game for the fans. Let's hope the floodlight issue is resolved quickly so we can all get back to enjoying this exciting match.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
