With the government changing in 2024, the OCA is continuing their talks with the new government for support. “Without government funding, we cannot do a complete overhaul,” Mohanty explains. “BCCI will support with their infrastructure fund, but we need government support. The new government, they are also keen to develop. They wanted to build another stadium. As there are so many stadiums now, we are getting matches once every two years. So, this stadium will go to waste (if a new cricket stadium is built). So, we told them that whatever facility they want to build, it could be done for other sports while redeveloping this stadium for cricket. It will be renovated. The government will help us to renovate and make it a vibrant stadium again,” he added.

Meanwhile, out in the middle, Kohli and Rohit were having a hit in the nets with every shot of them being cheered by 20,000-plus fans who had come to watch them train. Any player who walked along the boundary ropes were being cheered on as everyone remained on their feet as the India players and coaching staff went through their proceedings in what seemed like an optional training session.

While only time will tell when and how Barabati stadium gets its much-needed overhaul, expect the atmosphere on Sunday to be crazier than what it was on Saturday. For, Cuttack, and the entire of Odisha, will come together and fill the stadium to the brim to watch and cheer for their cricketing heroes.