Clouds Over ODI At Barabati Lifts As Repair Work For Fani-Damaged Stadium Infra Begins

Cuttack: Cricket lovers of Odisha have a reason to cheer as the possibility of the one-day international match between India and West Indies at Barabati Stadium in the Millennium City has become brighter.

According to sources, a team of officials from Dev Musco Lighting Pvt Ltd, a sports lighting company of the legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, arrived at the stadium on Monday to repair the floodlights damaged in Cyclone Fani this year.

On May 3, Odisha suffered its worst cyclone since 1999 and more than 60 lights from the floodlight tower fell down in the strong winds and heavy rainfall. The roofs of the New Pavilion and Gallery No.5 were also blown away and the digital scoreboard frame too had fallen down. The stands, press box and the old Pavilion also suffered damage. The Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), however, was at a position to carry any recovery work due to lack of funds.

The newly-elected OCA secretary Sanjay Behera told the media on October 16 that he had discussed about the damaged infrastructure of the stadium with senior officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) during a recent visit to Mumbai and the BCCI officials had assured him of providing financial assistance required for repairing and renovating the stadium.

On June 4, the BCCI had announced the tour schedule of the West Indies team in December. The host team is scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20i matches. Of the three ODIs, BCCI had asked the OCA to host one ODI at Barabati Stadium on December 22.