Ahead Of India-WI ODI In Cuttack, Legendary Kapil Dev To Visit Barabati!

Cuttack:  With barely a few months left for the scheduled ODI between India and West Indies to be played at Barabati stadium in Cuttack, the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) has stepped up its preparations, making necessary arrangements to successfully host the match.

As bulk of the infrastructure including flood-lights of the stadium was damaged during the recent cyclonic storm Fani, efforts are now being initiated to finish all repair and restoration works before the match.

OCA working committee chairman, Dhiren Pallai informed that through a letter to BCCI, the State association had urged the board for necessary repair works ahead of the crucial match at the stadium.

Speculations meanwhile are rife that former Indian captain and legendary cricketer Kapil Dev, currently heading the three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), is likely to visit the stadium here shortly.

It is pertinent to mention here that the installation of flood lights at Barabati were taken up by Kapil Dev’s company, Dev Musco some 10 to 12 years back.

“We have spoken with the officials of the company and also requested Kapil Dev ji. A team is scheduled to visit Barabati in next four to five days and it is most likely that Kapil Dev will also visit the stadium,” said Pallai.

Pallai further informed that the repair works would be completed before the crucial ODI at Barabati while all the expenses will be borne by the BCCI directly.

It is after a gap of two years that an international match will be played at Barabati stadium in Cuttack.The last ODI played at Barabati was between India and England on January 19, 2017.

As per BCCI schedule, the 3rd ODI between India and West Indies will be played at Barabati stadium in Cuttack on December 22, 2019.