‘Flash light me hoga muqabla’ – Fans react as no electricity in Raipur stadium for India vs Australia 4th T20I due to unpaid INR 3.16 crore

India and Australia are set to face off in the 4th T20I of their 5-match series at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Friday, December 1. With a 2-1 lead, the Men in Blue have an opportunity to clinch the series. However, a significant hurdle looms as the Raipur Stadium currently has no electricity due to an unpaid bill of INR 3.16 crore accumulated over the past 5 years. 

Fans are expressing concerns and questioning the Indian Cricket Board about the fate of the upcoming match. Ashok Khandelwal, the in-charge of Raipur Rural Circle, has stated that the Secretary of the Cricket Association has sought an expansion of the temporary connection’s capacity. Despite receiving approval for an upgrade to 1,000 KV, the implementation is still pending. 

The problem of electricity has been a recurring issue at the stadium. In 2018, participants in a half-marathon were surprised by the absence of power supply. It was disclosed at that time that the stadium’s unpaid electricity bills had been accumulating since 2009, according to the publication.

Many key players from Australia’s squad have returned home

The most recent match held at this venue was a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy encounter between Railways and Rajasthan in 2018, providing limited insights into what can be expected. However, it’s noteworthy that this stadium features expansive boundaries, creating an advantageous scenario for spinners, particularly after the onset of dew.

In terms of the upcoming contest, the focus for the Kangaroos extends beyond just levelling the series; it involves adapting to yet another squad composition. Following a triumphant World Cup campaign, players like Sean Abbott, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Steve Smith, and Adam Zampa have returned home, with Travis Head being the sole exception. The team now sees the inclusion of Ben Dwarshuis, Chris Green, Ben McDermott, and Josh Philippe, all eager for playing time, especially with the impending IPL Auction on the horizon.

Here’s how fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/the_survivor___/status/1730501717333295574