Indian Cricket Team forced to haul luggage up stairs as Raipur Airport escalator breaks down

Raipur's Swami Vivekananda International Airport has landed in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after a shocking incident involving the Indian cricket team. The Men in Blue were recently in Raipur for the second ODI against South Africa on December 3.

In that ODI match, Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad's centuries went in vain as South Africa chased down in the final over to level the ongoing three-match ODI series against India. Now, the ODI series decider is scheduled to be held in Vishakhapatnam on December 6.

Indian cricket team faces shocking inconvenience at Raipur Airport

Following the Indian cricket team's four-wicket loss to South Africa in the second ODI, a video went viral on social media, which highlights how the Indian players’ exit turned into an unexpected uphill challenge at Swami Vivekananda International Airport in Raipur.

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Players arriving at the airport were left struggling with their heavy bags as a major escalator remained out of service. Despite being one of India's modern and well-equipped, the non-functioning escalator became a huge embarrassment for the entire system and city.

The surprising fact was that the airport officials already knew the Indian cricket team was scheduled to arrive, yet no effort was made to repair the escalator in time. As the Indian cricket team players carried their luggage up the long flight of stairs, videos and photos went viral across social media, igniting anger and disbelief.

Viral video exposes Raipur Airport mess

Many questioned how such a basic facility could be overlooked, especially when hosting Indian cricket team traveling with bulky gear.

In the viral video, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can be seen carrying their backpacks while head coach Gautam Gambhir, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ruturaj Gaikwad were seen carrying their heavy luggage up the escalator.

On the other hand, the Indian support staff was also spotted struggling with their bulky bags. However, some of the airport officials can be seen helping the players with their luggage.

This is the escalator at Raipur airport which is not working, because of which the Indian team players have to carry their luggage and walk up. It’s such a big and modern airport, yet they can’t even fix one escalator. And even after knowing that the Indian team was going to… pic.twitter.com/WzcrI6P7uO

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) December 5, 2025

Virat Kohli mania hits Vizag

Meanwhile, the third ODI between India and South Africa in Visakhapatnam has suddenly become one of the most in-demand matches, all thanks to Virat Kohli's back-to-back centuries in Ranchi and Raipur against South Africa.

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When tickets first went on sale on November 28, hardly anyone was interested. The response was so cold that officials even thought about opening physical counters again, since sales were fully online this time. It looked like the Vizag stadium might not fill up.

But everything changed after Kohli scored a brilliant century in Ranchi on November 30. The moment the next phase of ticket sales opened on December 1, fans rushed in, and the tickets were gone within minutes for the final ODI.

Tickets sold out in minutes for 3rd IND vs SA ODI

The same thing happened again on December 3. Prices ranged from Rs 1,200 to Rs 18,000, but every single seat was taken for the ODI series decider between Indian cricket team and South Africa. Y Venkatesh, a member of Andhra Cricket Association's Media and Operations team, stated: "The first phase of tickets went on sale on November 28. The response wasn't good.

But a day before the second phase went on sale, Kohli scored that hundred at Ranchi. That changed everything. All of us know he has an outstanding record here… so when the second and third phase tickets went online, they vanished in minutes."