Barabati ODI: It Will Be An Even Contest Between Bat & Ball, Says Pitch Curator

Cuttack: With anticipation building up for the upcoming ODI between India and West Indies at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on December 22, the chief curator of the iconic ground, Pankaj Pattnaik has said that the match will witness even contest between the bat and ball.

“The pitch prepared for the match will be a sporting wicket which will assist both batsmen and bowlers. It’s a continuous process and we’ve been on it from the last three months. The wicket has been properly watered and rolled which will generate enough bounce for fast bowlers and the outfield will assist the batsmen in piling up boundaries as well," said Pattnaik.

Meanwhile, from renovated stands to a lush green out-field, preparations for the match have entered the final phase.

The Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) which owns the stadium has hosted more than 20 ODIs in the past. A look at the past reveals that the wicket in Barabati never disappoints the batsmen. In the thrilling ODI last played at the stadium in 2017 which saw no less than 740 runs scored in the entire match, the Men In Blue managed to win the match with a small margin after putting 381 on board.

OCA has left no stone unturned to make the much awaited ODI match a success after a delay in reconstruction work following the severe cyclonic storm Fani which partially damaged the stadium.

Taking stock of the preparations for the match, OCA secretary Sanjay Behera said, “We are renovating the clock tower, the most standout feature of the ground. The stock dial of the clock is being changed to a Roman dial but without disturbing the heritage look."

“The closing ceremony and the presentations will be held here as it will be the last match of the ODI series. We have also invited BCCI President Sourav Ganguly to grace the event,” Behera added.