Preparations begin for India-Windies ODI at Odisha’s Barabati stadium

Odisha Sun Times Sports Bureau
Cuttack, Aug 17:

The Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) has begun preparations for the second one day international match between India and West Indies scheduled to be played at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on October 14.

“We had organized a month-long football league tournaments at the stadium that concluded recently. We have started preparation for the match at the stadium from yesterday after the conclusion of Independence Day celebration in the stadium,” OCA honourary secretary Asirbad Behera told reporters here today.

Maintaining that no damage had been done to the pitch as the league tournaments were not played on it, he said while three-fourth of the field is still covered with grass, we have started preparations to cover up the rest area with grass in a month.

“The entire work starting from the preparation of the pitch, in-field and outfield of the stadium to the colouring of the stadium will be completed in one and a half months,” Behera added.

He, however, hoped that the rain would not play spoilsport in the much-awaited match.

“I pray to the Rain Gods not to disrupt this match like the India-Australia one-dayer on October 26 last year, which was abandoned due to heavy rains,” the OCA secretary pointed out.

Referring to the preparation of the pitch, Behera said; “Since it is expected that the pitch will have a low bounce due to incessant rains in July and August, we will try our best to make it a sporting wicket that has something for both for the bowlers and the batsmen.”

“We will prepare a pitch that would suit the home team the most,” he said.