Cuttack to host India-Sri Lanka ODI in December

Barabati Stadium, Cuttack will host a One-day International next month after BCCI’s Tour Programme and Fixture Committee today awarded the city one of India’s five ODIs against Sri Lanka. The committee met in Mumbi to finalise the venues for the series, which will also comprise three Test matches and a couple of Twenty20 games. However, the dates for the series, scheduled from the second week of November, will be announced at a later date. But Orissa Cricket Association secretary Asirbad Behera reportedly disclosed the date of Cuttack ODI as December 15. Mumbai, Kanpur and Ahmedabad will host the three Tests while the Twenty20 games would be played in Mohali and Nagpur. The other four one-dayers would be played in Kolkata, Rajkot, Vishakhapatnam and Delhi. The OCA secretary also said that the capacity of the Barabati Stadium would be increased from 35,000 to 45,000 for the ensuing ODI. This would be the 16th ODI match at the historic stadium, which staged the first one on January 27, 1982. India won that match, defeating England. Out of the last 15 ODIs, India were involved in 13 and out of the 13 the home side won eight, lost four. One match was cancelled due to rain. The first day-night international match was introduced in November, 2003 when India met New Zealand. The last ODI at the venue was held in November, 2008 and India won the tie, defeating England