A floodlight failure at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium caused a 35-minute interruption during the third ODI between India and England on Sunday (February 9). India, who was chasing a target of 305, was at 48 without loss when a floodlight behind the long-on boundary began flickering before ultimately shutting down, prompting openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma to return to the dugout.
While delays due to malfunctioning floodlights are not uncommon, cricket matches have also been halted for more unconventional reasons. Here are some of the most peculiar disruptions in the sport.
7 Bizarre Reasons That Led to Interruptions Between Cricket Matches
Flying Ants Breach the Stadium
A swarm of flying ants invaded the pitch during the T20I match between India and South Africa in Centurion, forcing the players to take shelter back in the pavilion room. The play could not be resumed for the next half an hour as ants ran amok on the field. Once they dispersed, the action resumed.
Too Much Sunshine Spoils the Play
When it comes to disrupting the play, the most habitual offender is rain. Nothing excites cricket fans as the sight of the bright sun, but as they say, too much of anything is not good. The ODI match between India and New Zealand in Napier had to be stopped because the sun was shining so blindingly bright on the Indian batters that it made it impossible for them to face deliveries.
When Burnt Toast Raised an Alarm
Cricket has seen a fair share of dramatic delays, but perhaps nothing would match the weirdness of this. During the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Brisbane, the Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon ended up burning his toast, which raised a fire alarm, prompting the fire trucks to rush to the venue. All seriousness turned into a note of levity once everyone realised the main culprit. The play resumed after 30 minutes.
No Food, No Play
Well, nothing irritates a hungry stomach more than a delay in food delivery, as Bangladeshi players would realise during the Bloemfontein Test against South Africa in 2024. A mix-up in printed menus led to a massive delay in the arrival of Halal food for Bangladeshi players, which forced the umpire to delay lunch by ten minutes.
Luggage Goes MIA
The second T20I between India and West Indies in 2022 was delayed by three hours, after a significant delay in the arrival of the team's luggage to St. Kitts from Trinidad. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) issued an apology to broadcasters, sponsors and fans. The match resumed after three hours, in which the hosts emerged victorious by five wickets.
A Car Storms onto The Pitch
A Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh had to be stopped after a mysterious driver, under the influence of alcohol, drove straight into the pitch, confusing players and officials alike.
Bushfire Smoke Stops Play in Canberra
Heavy smoke due to a bushfire in Canberra led to a match between Sydney Thunder and Adelaide Strikers being abandoned, in the 2019 edition of the Big Bash League.
