India v Sri Lanka: Cuttack T20I promises to be 180 plus affair

The Barabati Stadium in Cuttack is all set to host the first T20I of the 3-match series between India and Sri Lanka. On the eve of the match, the officials of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) have affirmed that a batting belter will be on the cards for the match. The officials have toiled hard to get the venue fit for the game. Interestingly, the venue has not hosted any international match in the last ten months.

The last time team India played at the venue was in January this year when they hosted England for an ODI fixture. Veteran cricketers, MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, had plundered tons in that particular game as over 700 runs were scored in the match. Prior to that, Cuttack had hosted its only other T20I fixture back in the year 2015. India had locked horns with South Africa in the game.

Learning from the past

Sadly enough, the hosts were bundled out for a paltry 92 in that game. The crowd were unhappy with the incident and had started hurling bottles on the field, which resulted in an abrupt ending to the match. The OCA certainly does not wish to see anything of that sort happening in this particular game against Sri Lanka.

Incidentally, the multi-purpose ground in Cuttack had also hosted a few football matches at the venue. The groundsmen have had a tough task getting the track ready. As per the quotes in Sportscafe, an OCA official affirmed that 180 plus total would be scored at the venue. Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni was seen inspecting the pitch recently as well.

“There were enough cracks on the surface which provided uneven bounce and the wicket was two-paced as well. But after the ground staff added extra clay and sufficiently watered it, the pitch is holding up well and looks ready for an international game. Thanks to the last three days of effort and not subjecting it to the sun, the pitch is now expected to be a 180-plus match,” quoted an OCA official.