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Cuttack: A question mark hangs over the Orissa Cricket Association (OCA)'s plan to bring in cheergirls who would perform classical Odissi dances to showcase the state's culture in the India-Sri Lanka third one-dayer to be played here on December 21.
Though a decision to this effect was taken at the OCA's general body meeting held recently, it was not clear whether it would get BCCI's approval.
The BCCI is against cheerleaders who, however, were a hit in the Twenty20 matches during the Indian Premier League I in 2008.
The OCA had decided that cheergirls would perform Odissi and Samabalpuri folk dance during breaks and when a wicket falls, OCA Secretary Asirbad Behera said.
"We will bring in 15-20 cheergirls who will present Odissi and Sambalpuri dances to promote the state's culture," Behera said.
Asked about the Board's objection, Behera said, "I don't think they will object to it as it will be only during the breaks."
BCCI secretary N Srinivasan said, "Normally, we don't allow cheergirls in one-dayers. But there's still time left for the India-Sri Lanka ODI series, we are concerned about the ongoing Australia ODI series now."
OCA had thought of introducing a similar sideshow during the India-England ODI on November 26 last year, but they had to cancel the plan.
Hosts of the third match in the five-ODI series, the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack has gone under a makeover as the OCA has introduced 20 corporate boxes and an additional gallery has been built to raise the total capacity to about 42,000.
"The fully air-conditioned corporate boxes will accommodate 1,000 people and the gallery will have a capacity of 9,000. Earlier the seating capacity was 32,000," said the OCA secretary.
