The city is all keyed up to host the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka at the magnificent Barabati Stadium on Sunday. Cuttack was originally to host a T20 International against the West Indies but the latter’s sudden withdrawal from the tour forced the Indian Board to invite Sri Lanka for a five-match series to fill the void.
On Thursday, the Indians flew into Bhubaneshwar, where the teams will be staying for the next three days.
The Sri Lankans arrived from Mumbai on Friday after their match against India ‘A’.
The Indians had a work-out in the morning at the Stadium where wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha underwent a fitness test and was cleared to play. The diminutive wicketkeeper, considered the best in the country by experts, was injured during a Duleep Trophy game a few days back.
The Indian team, except Dhawal Kulkarni, attended the practice session.
The Sri Lankans, however, preferred to rest at the hotel. The pitch, according to curator Pankaj Patnaik, is a good one for a limited-over game. Not a single match has been played on the pitch this season as it was being prepared for the T20I against the West Indies.
The preparation continued when the first ODI was allotted to Cuttack. Keeping the dew factor in mind, all the five ODIs will begin at 1.30 p.m.
This is the 19th ODI to be allotted to the venue of which two have been abandoned against Australia, including the one last year.
India and Sri Lanka have met twice at this venue and, while Sri Lanka won by 36 runs in 1990, India posted a seven-wicket win in 2009.