Considering the amount of rain Himachal Pradesh has seen over the last few days, an abandoned match between India-South Africa 1st ODI shouldn’t come as a surprise for the fans.
The forecast for the day was horrible anyways but to call of a match without a ball being bowled is surely a disappointment.
There was some hope for the fans with the sun peeping out every now and then since morning but with the toss approaching the heavens finally decided to open up, killing any hope for a game, even a shorter one.
Prayers in vain as rain refused to relent
Yesterday, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association ( HPCA) officials offered prayers at the Indrunag Temple to keep the rain away from the first ODI but as it was forecasted, the rain refused to relent and eventually forced the match to be abandoned.
This is the second match that has been abandoned due to rain at Dharamasala in the last six month.
Incidentally, the previous match that ended without a result at Dharamasala was the T-20 involving both these teams in September last year.
The next two ODI’s are most likely to be played within closed door
As the number of corona virus cases continue to rise in India, the remaining two matches of the series are most likely to be played within closed doors.
In an advisory issued to all National Sports Federations, India’s sports ministry has urged the respective federations to ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event.
“You are advised to adhere to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event,”
said the press release by the government of India.
Virat Kohli and Quinton de Kock sharing a smile
Washout a blessing in disguise for South Africa
Well, let’s be fair, beating a full strength Indian side in their home conditions is not an easy task thus this washout could well turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the Proteas, who’ll fancy their chances in a shorter series.
Both teams now head to the capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow for the second ODI. The final of the series will be played at the historic Eden Garden in Kolkata on March 18th.
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