India, Feb. 9 -- Team India's pursuit of 305 against England in the second ODI was abruptly halted due to a floodlight failure at Cuttack's Barabati Stadium on Sunday. The blackout occurred when the hosts were cruising at 48/0, forcing players off the field.

The first signs of trouble appeared around 6:15 PM when the lights momentarily flickered, but play resumed as Saqib Mahmood prepared to bowl. Soon after the first bowl of the sixth over, one of the eight floodlight towers - positioned near the clock tower - failed completely.

While the visibility wasn't hampered, the rules dictate that maximum lighting should be necessary. Consequently, the players were forced to leave the field.

Skipper Rohit Sharma, in scintillating form, had rac...