Bhubaneswar, May 24 -- Even as cricket continues to enjoy widespread popularity across India through tournaments such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), residents of Nuagarh village in Odisha's Paradip continue to associate the sport with one of the darkest chapters in the village's history.

For the past 22 years, cricket has effectively remained prohibited in the village following a boat accident in 2004 that claimed the lives of 13 young men. The tragedy occurred when a group of youths was travelling across the Mahanadi river to participate in a cricket match.

Residents say the incident left a deep impact on the community, and since then, cricket was not played in the village.

Recounting the events of March 1, 2004, a local resident...