-Shamik Chakrabarty in Cuttack
The scheduled start of the game is at 1.30 pm. By 10 o’clock in the morning, it felt like all roads in Cuttack were leading to the Barabati Stadium. India versus England is always a marquee clash, irrespective of formats and context. International matches at this ancient city are at a premium. Cuttack has been hosting an ODI after a gap of six years. The craze is massive.
The Indian team trained at Barabati on the match eve. England players chose to cool their heels. The fans didn’t mind. They thronged the venue to the extent that the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) had to open four stands at the stadium. More than 20,000 spectators came and as they got to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, their day was made. The stadium has a capacity of around 45,000. The game is a sell-out.
The big guns in the Indian team turned up, notwithstanding that it was an optional practice session. After missing the first ODI in Nagpur due to a swollen knee, Kohli is set to return to the playing XI. Rohit, meanwhile, badly needs runs. “I pray to Lord Jagannath that he (Rohit) scores a century,” said Bapi Khatwa, who works as a waiter at a hotel and is lucky enough to manage a half-day-off to watch his hero in action. An elongated lean patch hasn’t diminished the skipper’s popularity.
The local administration has naturally tightened the security in and around the Barabati Stadium. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has undertaken beautification and fogging operations in the vicinity of the stadium. It’s a celebration for this cricket-starved city. An India win would be the icing on the cake.
The OCA has decided to live up to the hype. “We have invited all the Padma awardees here who will sit in a special enclosure and will be felicitated,” a top OCA official told RevSportz. “We have also organised a laser show for the fans. The craze for tickets this time was unprecedented. We would like to host international matches more frequently.”
Against the West Indies in 2019, Kohli had scored 85 at this venue. He was the Player of the Match. Can he roll back the years? Can Barabati help a struggling Rohit get out of the rut? The stage is set. Let the party begin.
Also Read: Batting coach plays down Rohit Sharma’s lean patch