A stampede-like situation reportedly occurred at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Wednesday, February 5, as a large crowd gathered to buy tickets for the second ODI between India and England. The match, scheduled for February 9, will be the first ODI at the venue since December 2019.
Fans arrived early in the morning for the offline ticket sales, but the situation soon spiraled out of control, leading to chaos. Local police were deployed to manage the crowd. According to reports, at least 10 people lost consciousness due to the commotion. In an effort to control the situation, police officials used water cannons on the crowd.
According to Odisha TV, locals attributed the chaos to poor exit management, forcing the police to cut the bamboo barricades to create an emergency exit.
At least 10 persons fell unconscious after a stampede-like situation broke out at designated ticket counters outside #BarabatiStadium during offline ticket sale for upcoming second ODI match between India and England on February 9.#Cuttack #Odisha #IndiaEnglandODI #Cricket pic.twitter.com/VGQ53YUGXO
— ETV Bharat (@ETVBharatEng) February 5, 2025
The second ODI match of India and England is going to be held in Cuttack and people are crazy to see #ViratKohli𓃵 but only 4000 tickets were left and there was too much rush due to which there was a stampede and 15 people got injured#INDvENG#ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/T8BKEzYbXH
— Rahul Gupta (@RahulGu04197245) February 5, 2025
Notably, a special traffic advisory was issued to ensure a smooth process during offline ticket sales at Barabati Stadium. Authorities also set up a separate queue for women.
Traffic Advisory i.c.w ticket selling of 2nd ODI at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.@odisha_police @cpbbsrctc pic.twitter.com/HURTeyxdXi
— DCP CUTTACK (@dcp_cuttack) February 4, 2025
The three-match ODI series between India and England will begin on Thursday, February 6, in Nagpur. The second and third matches are scheduled for February 9 in Cuttack and February 12 in Ahmedabad.
Security to Be Tightened for 2nd IND vs ENG 2025 ODI in Cuttack
Reports suggest that a meeting was held on Tuesday, February 4, to assess the preparations and arrangements for the upcoming second ODI between India and England. Officials from the Odisha Cricket Association and Odisha Olympic Association participated in the meeting.
Discussing the match, Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Meena told NDTV: “The entry and exit of people will be regulated through four designated gates, with personnel stationed to manage security and sanitation.”
Authorities have arranged special buses from Netaji Bus Terminus and the railway station, with ambulances on standby for emergencies.
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