As Cuttack prepares for the high-stakes India–South Africa T20 on December 9, the shadow of February’s ticketing chaos at Barabati Stadium still looms large. Fans remember the crush at offline counters, barricades allegedly giving way, injuries, and scalpers selling tickets at exorbitant rates.

With stakes high, the Odisha Cricket Association faces a tough test to ensure safety, fairness, and smooth access for genuine supporters.

Offline Rush, Chaos Still Fresh in Memory

During the last international match between India and England on February 9 at Barabati Stadium, thousands of fans had swarmed the offline ticket counters, leading to a near-stampede-like situation. Several spectators were injured, barricades collapsed, and police struggled to control the crowd.

The chaos was largely attributed to limited offline counters, poor queue regulation, and inadequate crowd-management planning.

Black-Marketing Hit Fans Hard

The February match also witnessed significant black-marketing of tickets. Multiple individuals were detained for reselling tickets at exorbitant prices, often many times higher than the official rate. Investigations had revealed that bulk-purchasing by intermediaries and resale outside the stadium had deprived genuine fans of fair access.

Seven people were arrested for illegally reselling tickets. The tickets originally priced at Rs 1,100 were reportedly being offered at up to Rs 7,000. Police had seized 25 tickets, cash, and other items linked to the racket.

OCA’s Plan For This Match

For the upcoming IND-SA T20, OCA has announced a structured ticket-sale plan with designated dates for online and offline sales. The association has assured tighter checks to prevent bulk buying during online sales and stricter monitoring at physical counters.

Also Read:After embarrassing blackout, OCA faces crucial test ahead of IND-SA T20 clash at Barabati stadium in Cuttack

Crucial Steps Needed to Avoid Repeat of February Mess

Ahead of the December 9 match, several measures remain critical:

• Stronger crowd control at ticket counters to avoid congestion and medical emergencies.
• Strict action against scalpers and continuous monitoring to curb black-marketing.
• Adequate police deployment near various counters and the stadium during the offline sale of tickets.
• Clear communication on genuine ticket availability and purchase limits for fairness.
• Rapid-response teams to handle any sudden rush, system glitches or security lapses.

Fair Access And Safety At Stake

With a high-voltage international match returning to Cuttack, expectations are high. Ensuring transparent ticket distribution, preventing black-market exploitation, and protecting fan safety will be key for OCA as it attempts to restore confidence after the February debacle.