Stadiums In India

Orissa Barabati Stadium

Location	Cuttack, Orissa
Established	1958
Capacity	35,000[6]
Floodlights
End names	Pavilion end and Mahanadi River End
Home team	Orissa Cricket Team
Curator
Owner	Odisha Cricket Association
Operator	Odisha Cricket Association
Tenants	Odisha Cricket Team
First Test	India V Sri Lanka; 4th Jan-7th Jan 1987
Last Test	India V New Zealand; 8th Nov to 12th Nov 1995
First ODI	India v England; 27th Jan 1982
Last ODI	India V West Indies; 29th Nov 2011
Domestic team

Introduction

Located in the East Indian city of Cuttack, Orissa, this cricket venue, Barabati Stadium is one of the renowned stadiums that were set up in the year 1958. A home ground for the Odisha Cricket Team, this stadium is operated by the Odisha Cricket Association. Acknowledged as one of the oldest cricket grounds in our country, this stadium has hosted number of cricket matches which include MCC, Australians, and the West Indies Team – prior to hosting its first ODI match.

Well equipped with flood lights, this ground is preferred for day and night games while is also a regular venue for ODI matches. Besides the cricket matches, few top level football matches, and cultural events have also been hosted here.

The stadium has proved to be very lucky for our Indian team since they have a record of 100% strike rate in winning the matches that have been played here.

History

Set up in the year 1958, Barabati Stadium is a venue that is used for both ODI and Test Matches. The Barabati Stadium in Odisha has by far hosted just 3rd ODI that was played between India and England, where India won the match by five wickets and won the series. In the 1st Test Match at this stadium, following five seasons, the cricket team of Sri Lanka was greeted with an unsuspecting wicket affording wide unpredictable bounce. When no other cricketer crossed 60 runs, it was Dilip Vengsarkar who made a score of 166 runs. It is said that he was at that time at the most shaky heights of his career.

Even though this stadium is not one of the regular stadiums that hosts test cricket matches, yet it continues enjoying the status of an international cricket venue that hosts ODIs on regular basis. India has won 1 out of the two test matches that the Indian team has played here while has a record of 9-4 win in One Day International matches.

The Barabati Stadium has been presently adopted as a home venue for IPL team Deccan Chargers. Having hosted two out of seven home matches of Deccan Chargers during 2010 season, this stadium is at its best. It is worth noticing that this is the sole cricket stadium in Odisha that has set incredible international standard.

How to Reach

The Barabati Stadium is situated in Cuttack, Orissa. Well known as an international stadium, this stadium lies in the eastern region of this city. One can take an auto-rickshaw or a private car or bus from the Cuttack Railway Station or can hire a cab/taxi from Bhubaneswar Airport and reach the stadium.

The stadium is just 30 kms away from the Bhubaneswar Airport. In close proximity to the key attractions of the city, it takes just half an hour to reach the stadium through the vehicles that join the airport and railway station.

Ground

The Barabati Stadium has a spacious ground that encircles a vast area of 25 acres of land. It is this vast ground which gives this stadium a gross accommodation capacity. Structure resembling the Barbourne Stadium of Mumbai, this stadium is well equipped with floodlights that make it capable of hosting day and night cricket matches, cultural events and other games. This ground has two ends – Pavilion End and Mahanadi River End.

Renovation

The Barabati Stadium is expecting some renovation in coming few days. The Orissa Cricket Association is utilizing the funds for infrastructural developments of this stadium. It is said that the stadium will soon have a spacious indoor hall which will help the players continue their practices even when the weather is inclement. Further there are plans to make a swimming pool within the premises of the stadium while the seating capacity is also expected to be enhanced.

The cricket association aims for developing this stadium to a world class stadium that matches the international standard.  BCCI has promised to sanction 50 crore INR which will be given in two phases. Indeed this will give incredible facelift to the stadium. The sitting capacity is expected to be increased from 30,000 to 50,000 following BCCI’s assistance. Also the pavilion and 2 galleries of this stadium will be expanded so that they accommodate more spectators.

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