Barabati Stadium Cuttack Pitch Report For India vs England 2nd ODI Match

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Virat Kohli inspecting the Barabati Pitch [Source: @ViratGang/x.com]Virat Kohli inspecting the Barabati Pitch [Source: @ViratGang/x.com]

India are all set to take on England in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Orissa. The match will be played on February 9th at 1:30 PM IST.

India showed great dominance in the T20I series preceding these three ODIs. They continued their brilliant show in the first ODI and managed to win the game rather convincingly. 

Rohit Sharma and his men will be eager to win this match and finish the series before it rolls to the decider. On the other hand, Jos Buttler and his men will be keen to bounce back and take the series to the final game. 

As the two teams gear up for this exciting clash, we look at how the pitch at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack might behave during the match.

Barabati Stadium Cuttack stats and records in ODIs

Categories
Data
Matches Played19
Matches Won Batting 1st7
Matches Won Batting 2nd12
Average First Innings Score226

Barabati Stadium Cuttack: Is It Batting Or Bowling Friendly?

The average first innings score in ODIs at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, is around 226. This shows that the wicket is not good for batting. But if you see the last three ODIs that have been played here, the team batting past went past the 350 mark. This proves the track has gotten flatter and better for batting in the last few years.

The pace and bounce of the wicket will help the batters to play their shots and collect runs. Batters will get the full value for their shots when the ball is hard and new. However, around the 30-40 over mark, especially in the first innings, the wicket might bring the spinners into the game. We can expect the ball to skid through and keep a bit low at times.

The fact that 12 of the 19 ODI matches at this venue have been won by the team chasing points to the wicket getting for batting with the progress of the game. The captain winning the toss will definitely keep this trend in mind and might look to the field first after winning the toss.

Players to watch out at Barabati Stadium Cuttack

Rohit Sharma

The Indian skipper has been struggling for form for the past few months. However, pitch at the Barabati Stadium might be ideal for home, especially with him opening the innings. Rohit Sharma also has a good record at this venue in this format. His average of over 70 in ODIs at Barabati Stadium makes him one of the players to watch out for.

Harry Brook

The young English batter has struggled to cope up with the Indian conditions. Harry Brook has struggled with his rhythm and form in this tour. However, the Barabati pitch with its flat nature could act in favour of Harry Brook. 

Axar Patel

The spin bowling all-rounder could be a trump card for India on the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Axar Patel has already shown glimpses of his batting ability in the previous ODI. Besides, Patel also has good bowling numbers at the Stadium. Thus with his batting form in his favour and his suitable bowling style for the wicket, Axar Patel will be one of the key players to watch out for in this game.

Adil Rashid

If England gets to bowl first, the track might bring the spinners into the game in the late middle phase of the match. With most of the Indian batters being right handers and with Adil Rashid's ball spinning away from him, the leg spinner could be critical for England's success in the game.