A chaotic scene unfolded outside the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Wednesday, February 5, as thousands of fans clamoured for offline tickets to the second ODI between India and England, scheduled for February 9 (Sunday). In response to the overwhelming crowd, police were compelled to deploy water cannons to manage the situation. Enthusiastic cricket supporters had assembled in significant numbers on Tuesday night, and when ticket sales commenced at 9 am on Wednesday, disorder ensued.

Online ticket sales for the India vs England second ODI started on February 2; however, those who were unable to secure tickets after lengthy waits were provided with the chance to purchase physical tickets on February 5 and February 6.

As the news circulated, enthusiastic cricket fans began lining up outside the stadium in the early hours of Wednesday. Some even chose to spend the night there to ensure they would not miss the chance to see their beloved cricketers, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are set to play at this venue after a five-year hiatus. The last appearance of these two Indian cricket icons at this location was in 2019 during an ODI against the West Indies, where Kohli was named Player of the Match in India's victory.

This ODI against England marks Cuttack's first intentional match in almost three years, with the last being a T20I against South Africa in 2022. Consequently, the anticipation was palpable. However, various local media outlets reported that the Odisha Cricket Association did not adequately prepare for the event.

According to Odisha TV, residents expressed their frustration with the administration for the lack of adequate facilities. The chaos that ensued was attributed to ineffective crowd management, leading to significant issues with controlling the crowd. Following numerous complaints, police were compelled to dismantle bamboo barricades to establish an emergency exit.

One fan reported that four or five individuals became unwell and required hospitalization due to discomfort. “We have been asking for water, but there is no provision for drinking water here. At least four people had to be hospitalized, yet they are not supplying drinking water,” the fan stated.

The primary concern was the absence of adequate entry and exit points, which resulted in disorder among attendees.

In response to this situation, local law enforcement, under the leadership of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), promptly arrived at the stadium to address the chaos. The DCP, accompanied by multiple platoon units, was placed on high alert to oversee the crowd and ensure the safety of the public. Measures are currently being implemented to enhance the ticketing process to avert any additional disturbances.

Authorities have called on the public to remain calm and patient throughout the ticket-purchasing procedure. They emphasized the importance of maintaining order to guarantee the safety and security of all individuals present.

In a statement, Cuttack DCP Jagmohan Meena remarked, “We have expedited the ticket sales to facilitate quicker exits. Our goal is to clear the area within thirty minutes. I urge everyone to be patient, as many have been waiting in line since midnight. We have also arranged for water supplies for those in the queue.”

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