 "IND vs ENG: Odisha government asks state board to explain floodlight issue at Cuttack stadium")
The ongoing series between India and England has captivated cricket fans across the world, showcasing exceptional skill and talent from both sides. While the results may not fully reflect England’s competitiveness, the series has been an entertaining contest. India have already secured the three-match series with back-to-back four-wicket wins in the first two ODIs. The final match is set to take place in Ahmedabad on 12 February.
However, the second ODI at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium on Sunday saw an unexpected delay of nearly 30 minutes due to a floodlight failure, forcing players from both teams to leave the field. The incident drew significant attention from fans and experts alike.
Odisha govt reprimands state’s cricket body
According to The Indian Express, the Odisha government has now sought an explanation from the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA), which was responsible for conducting the match. The state’s sports department has reportedly demanded details on the individuals or agencies accountable for the lapse, as well as the steps being taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
“This incident led to about 30 minutes suspension of the match, causing inconvenience to players and spectators. The OCA is hereby directed to submit a detailed explanation for the cause of the disruption and identify the persons/ agencies who were responsible for such lapses and outline the measures taken to prevent similar incidents in the future,” said a letter issued by the Odisha sports department to the OCA.
As far as the match is concerned, Indian captain Rohit Sharma smashed a brilliant century to help his side emerge victorious and take an unassailable 2-0 lead. Rohit scored 119 off 90 balls, his first century since the 2023 ODI World Cup match against Afghanistan. This was Rohit’s 32nd ODI ton, third-most by a player in the format.
Batting first, England posted 304 runs on the board thanks to knocks from Joe Root, Ben Duckett, and Liam Livingstone. Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers from the Indian team as he picked up three scalps under his belt. India then chased down the target with 33 balls remaining. Rohit was named the player of the match for his explosive batting display.
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