Indian Team was left stranded as Raipur Airport escalator malfunction forced the players to carry luggage upstairs manually after their second ODI against South Africa, which KL Rahul's men lost by four wickets. The broken escalator at the Swami Vivekananda International Airport in Raipur turned Team India's arrival into a workout. The Men in Blue had been in the city for the second ODI against South Africa, which took place on December 3. In that match, centuries scored by Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad were ultimately insufficient, as South Africa successfully chased the target in the final over, leveling the three-match ODI series. The decisive match is now scheduled to be held in Vishakhapatnam on December 6.
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Escalator breakdown at Raipur Airport forces Team India to haul heavy kits manually
Following India's four-wicket loss in the second ODI, a video quickly went viral across social media, showcasing a logistical problem faced by the team during their exit from the city. The players' departure from the Swami Vivekananda International Airport turned into an unexpected challenge when they arrived to find a major escalator out of service.
What caused particular outrage was the surprising fact that airport officials were fully aware of the Indian cricket team's scheduled arrival, yet no visible effort had been made to repair the escalator in advance. Consequently, the players were left struggling to haul their heavy luggage up a long flight of stairs. As videos and photos of the Indian cricket team carrying their bags and ascending the stairs spread across social media platforms.
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Prominent players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were seen carrying their backpacks, while head coach Gautam Gambhir, along with players such as Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad, were observed carrying their heavy suitcases up the inoperative escalator.
Watch the video here:
Moreover, the Indian support staff was also spotted wrestling with their own bulky bags. While the overall scene highlighted the operational lapse, the video did also show some airport officials stepping in to help the players manage and carry their luggage up the stairs.