Cuttack: The historic Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha's premier cricket venue since 1958, has witnessed both glorious cricket moments and some of Indian cricket's most controversial incidents. While the ground has hosted memorable matches, certain events have left permanent scars on its reputation.
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The 2015 Bottle-Throwing Incident
The most infamous incident occurred during the T20I match between India and South Africa on October 5, 2015. With India struggling at 92 for 7 while chasing South Africa's 199, frustrated spectators began throwing water bottles onto the field, forcing two match interruptions.
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, who was commentating that day, expressed his dismay: "This is absolutely disgraceful behavior from the crowd. There is no excuse for this kind of behavior. They have brought shame to Indian cricket."
The match was halted twice, with players leaving the field for their safety. South African captain Faf du Plessis later remarked, "I've played a lot of cricket in India, but I've never seen that. It makes you a bit sad because it's such a small group of people that spoil it for everyone else."
Following this incident, the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) banned water bottles inside the stadium and implemented stricter security measures.
The 1996 Disruption
An earlier controversy erupted during the 1996 ODI between India and England. When India was struggling, sections of the crowd began throwing fruit and plastic bottles onto the field. Match referee Raman Subba Row had to intervene, and play was suspended for about 20 minutes.
2017: Prevention Measures and Changes
After the 2015 incident, the 2017 T20I between India and Sri Lanka saw unprecedented security arrangements. OCA secretary Asirbad Behera stated: "We have installed 12 more CCTV cameras and increased police deployment. Water will only be served in paper cups."
Pitch Controversies
The Barabati pitch has also faced criticism. During the 2012 ODI against Pakistan, both teams struggled with the unpredictable bounce. Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri commented, "This isn't the kind of pitch international cricket deserves. It's uneven and dangerous."
The 2018 Recovery
The stadium showed signs of redemption during the 2018 ODI between India and West Indies. OCA president Pankaj Lochan Mohanty shared: "We worked hard to change perceptions. New facilities, better crowd management, and strict security measures were implemented."
Impact on Players
MS Dhoni, who witnessed the 2015 incident as captain, later reflected: "It's disappointing when such incidents happen. However, we must remember it's a small section of fans who indulge in such behavior. Barabati has given us many memorable moments."
Administrative Changes
Following these controversies, the OCA implemented several changes:
Installation of high-resolution CCTV cameras
Ban on carrying water bottles
Enhanced police presence
New crowd management protocols
Regular security audits
