India vs Sri Lanka: ACA Stadium plays spoilsports

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Modern ground but faulty equipment or careless attitude!

It doesn’t augur well for the cricket lovers as well as cricket players of the State. The first T20I match between India and Sri Lanka had to be abandoned without a single ball being bowled at the ACA Stadium, Barsapara here today becaus of wet pitch caused due to rain

Rain started just when India won the toss and decided to bowl first. The spell of rains lasted hardly 20 minutes and the ground was well equipped to get ready by the next 30 minutes.

But still the match was not possible for negligence on the part of the ground staff. The water on the covers made it to the pitch. The covers might not be fit for in international match. The condition of the pitch at the south end was so bad that the damage couldn’t be repaired on time.

It was the first occasion when an international cricket match was abandoned in Guwahati because of poor condition of the pitch, not the ground. The incident would definitely put blot on Assam Cricket Association which, just a couple of days back, looked very confident to tackle this type of situation easily. Most interestingly, the ACA was considering the match as the dress rehearsal of the forthcoming IPL in which Rajasthan Royals will play their three home matches in this ground.

The match was doubtful once the cover was removed from the pitch. The grounds men immediately started to repair the damage and they even used hair dryer, but the damage was beyond repair.

The umpires made three inspections and once Team India Captain Virat Kohli also appeared personally to check the pitch. The formal announcement came at 10 pm.

However, the cooperation from the crowd was excellent throughout the evening. They faced a lot of troubles because of rains and also due to poor crowd control at the gate which forced them to stay in the queue for a long period. The ACA has assured that tickects will be refunded on time. Both the teams will now fly to Indore to take part in the second T20I slated for Tuesday.

Also Read: Focus on Jasprit Bumrah as India take on Sri Lanka at ACA stadium, Barsapara

Watch | Team India captain Virat Kohli addresses media ahead T20 match in Guwahati