BCCI Left Red-Faced, Play Gets Halted For Bizarre Reason In India vs England 2nd ODI

India's run chase against England in the second ODI at Cuttack suffered an abrupt interruption, as one of the floodlights at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack switched off entirely. Chasing 305, India got off to a good start thanks to captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill. However, the sudden issue emerged during the seventh over of the game, halting play immediately. A long chat between the players and the umpires followed, before ultimately play was temporarily stopped and players were forced to leave the play.

A quick solution to the floodlight issue could not be found, with visuals showing that none of the lights on one of the towers were working.

The evident visual issue, taking place near 6:15 local time (IST), and the lack of a solution meant that the players had no choice but to leave the field of play.

The floodlights initially flickered and went off at the end of the sixth over, before turning back on, only to go off once again just a delivery later. The players waited for a while, and then eventually India captain Rohit Sharma could be seen having a long discussion with the umpires. 

The lights seemed to flicker again, but then completely switched off moments later.

As per ESPNcricinfo, it was the generator connected to the floodlights that had malfunctioned, and was repaired during the break

Cuttack is hosting an international match for the first time in two and a half years, with its last game being the second T20I between India and South Africa in June 2022.

Rohit seemed to find back some of his old form, as he gave India a fiery start. The hosts reached 48/0 in 6.1 overs before  play had to be halted. The 37-year-old Rohit slammed three sixes, being unbeaten on 29 off 18 balls. 

Shubman Gill -