Due to its diverse landscape and rich history, India is lucky to have quite a few international stadiums across the country. The sheer passion of fans only makes it exciting. While other countries have 5-10 regular international centres alongside as many more stale venues, India is blessed with around 50 international stadiums. While new and huge stadiums are regularly built, there’s a certain history attached to some grounds.
Barabati Stadium to be upgraded
One such is the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. The stadium in Odisha hosted the opener of the five-match T20 international series between India and South Africa. The excitement in the state was there to be seen as it was flooded with fans and obviously the match was a sellout. Now, a new development is coming across, with the Odisha government planning to upgrade the stadium furthermore in a hope of hosting more international matches in the future.
The stadium, which is already equipped with floodlights, enabling day-night matches for both cricket and football, is indicated to increase its seating capacity. On the sidelines of the first IND vs SA T20I, Odisha CM Majhi mentioned that they’re already looking into increasing the number of seats at Barabati Stadium. They’re going to discuss it with the people involved and should have a decision soon. He also said that fixing up the stadium, which is one of Odisha’s oldest cricket spots, is still a top priority.
“The government has taken the plan to increase the capacity of the stadium into consideration. A decision in this regard will be taken soon,” CM Majhi said, as per Odisha TV. “I congratulate everyone for successfully hosting the match. I have only one agenda, which is to renovate Barabati Stadium and I am hopeful that it will be done soon with all our collective efforts,” said Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) Secretary Sanjay Behera.
Barabati Stadium’s rich history with Indian cricket
It hosted its first international match, an ODI between India and England, in January 1982. It has since been a regular venue for ODIs and T20Is and has hosted two Test matches (in 1987 and 1995). Fascinatingly, the stadium hosted matches during the 1987 and 1996 Cricket World Cups.
Standing on the banks of the Mahanadi River, perhaps the most iconic match it hosted came in 2017 when Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni put on a historic 256-run partnership against England. Yuvraj hammered 150, while Dhoni made 134 as India won the game by 15 runs despite being 25/3 at one point. Last night, India bludgeoned South Africa to register a mammoth 101-run win after Hardik Pandya’s blitz.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
Jitesh Sharma breaks silence on 'wicket-keeper battle' with Sanju Samson in India's T20I setup
Top Stories
