Cuttack: The floodlight malfunction during 2nd ODI at Barabati Stadium in Odisha’s Cuttack city on Sunday triggered a frenzy on social media, particularly among Pakistani cricket fans, who seized the moment to mock India.
The reason: This incident came a day after Pakistan Cricket Board was brutally trolled for Rachin Ravindra’ freak injury during the first ODI of the tri-series against Pakistan in Lahore after he misjudged a catch, raising concerns over the stadium’s lighting conditions. Social media users had then urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reconsider Pakistan as the host for the Champions Trophy since Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is one of the three venues where the matches are to be played.
On Sunday, Pakistani fans left no stone unturned to hit back at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), drawing attention to the irony.
“Cricket is a great leveller,” one fan wrote on X.
Another fan commented, “Please donate some money to BCCI, they can’t afford new flood lights Or maybe send them some Chinese floodlights like the ones we’re using at Gaddafi Stadium.”
.@MohsinnaqviC42, please donate some money to @BCCI—they can’t afford new floodlights. Or maybe send them some Chinese floodlights like the ones we’re using at Gaddafi Stadium.#INDvENG
— The PCT Army.🇵🇰 (@thepctarmy0) February 9, 2025
“If anyone knows an electrician?” 🤣@Swannyg66 seeing the funny side of a dodgy floodlight stopping play ❌ pic.twitter.com/duJu4kywi7
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) February 9, 2025
This is world richest Cricket Board.. Embarrassing situation for BCCI. Yesterday they were criticising Gaddafi floodlights and today there Floodlights gone black.. Shame on this double standard #INDvENG #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/JaYYp8cc4H
— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) February 9, 2025
imagine trolling pcb with this 5star facilities https://t.co/tAd8RyLcAX
— 🫠 (@kyabechirkut) February 9, 2025
How did ICC allow a match to take place in such stadium?
Please boycott this stadium
Prayers for England Cricket team, get well soon floodlight
— King Babar Azam Gang (@BA56_MOB) February 9, 2025
Indian fans were quick to rebut. “Chinese floodlights, we all know how Chinese products work and no need to lecture,” said one while another commented, “If you have so much money why do you go begging round the world for money…”
The disruption during the second innings of the 2nd ODI at Barabati Stadium occurred in the seventh over when Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill were at the crease with the score board reading 47 for no loss. The game, however, resumed without much fuss after 30 minutes, with Gus Atkinson finishing his over.
Also Read: 35-Minute Pause In India’s Chase: Know What Led To Floodlight Fiasco At Cuttack’s Barabati
Explaining the cause of the fiasco, Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) secretary Sanjay Behera said, “Each floodlight tower had two generators as backup. During the match, one of the generators for the affected floodlight tower malfunctioned. When we attempted to switch to the second generator, we found that a vehicle used for transporting players was parked between the tower and the generator. We had to contact the driver and ask him to move the vehicle before the power supply could be restored.”
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has served a show-cause notice to OCA, asking it to submit a detailed explanation for the cause of the disruption and identify the persons/ agencies, who were responsible for such lapses. It has also been asked to outline the measures taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. “The findings must be submitted within 10 days upon receipt of this letter,” the official notification said.
Also Read: Odisha Govt Show Causes OCA Secy On Floodlight Malfunction During Cuttack ODI
Speaking to Indian Express, OCA acting president Pankaj Lochan Mohanty said that discussions are underway with the government regarding the renovation of Barabati Stadium. “It was supposed to get renovated; this is a very old stadium. We have all the facilities and have made partial renovations, as you can see. We have been in talks with the government,” he was quoted as saying
“Without government funding, we cannot do a complete overhaul. The BCCI will support with their infrastructure fund, but we need government support. The new government is also keen on development. They wanted to build another stadium,” he added.
In February 2024, the then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for the renovation and redevelopment of the historic Barabati Stadium at Cuttack with a seating capacity for 60,000 spectators at an estimated cost of Rs 600 crore.
However, the proposal to completely demolish the old structure for transforming it into a world-class sports complex had raised a few eyebrows.
Also Read: Will Barabati Stadium In Odisha’s Cuttack City Be Demolished As Part Of Transformation Plan?
