India’s chase of a challenging 305-run target against England in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Barabati Stadium took an unexpected turn on Sunday when a floodlight malfunction halted and resumed after 30 minutes.
Skipper Rohit Sharma looked in sublime touch, dispatching England’s pacers for three effortless sixes, while Shubman Gill provided steady support. The duo got India off to a strong start, reaching 47 without loss in just six overs before technical issues brought the game to a standstill.
Floodlight Failure at Barabati Stadium
Play was interrupted when one of the floodlight towers began flickering inconsistently, with some bulbs shutting off completely, reducing visibility on the field. Match officials promptly halted proceedings as stadium staff rushed to fix the problem.
After a brief five-minute delay, the lights appeared to be restored, and the players returned to the field. However, the respite was short-lived. As the seventh over began, the floodlights failed again—this time, the majority of bulbs on the faulty tower went dark, leading to another stoppage.
At the time of the interruption, India had reached 48 for no loss in 6.1 overs, enjoying the momentum. The sudden break left both players and fans frustrated as ground staff scrambled for a permanent fix.
Meanwhile, England, led by Jos Buttler, used the delay to regroup and reassess their strategy, aware that an extended pause could shift the game’s dynamics.
With uncertainty surrounding the stadium’s infrastructure, concerns grew over whether the match could continue under ideal conditions. The incident raised fresh questions about the preparedness of major cricketing venues to host high-profile international fixtures.
