After affecting the first two games of the ongoing five-match series, rain is once again looking primed to take a toll on the upcoming third One-Day International too. Indore, the venue of the next game, has been receiving rain since the start of the month and was lashed out by another spell of rain on Friday (September 22). The first game in Chennai was severely affected by rain with Australia paying a big price for it as they were given a tough revised total of 164 in 21 overs.
Rain was also threatening to play spoilsport in the second ODI at the Eden Gardens and although it halted the game for a while during the first innings, no overs were reduced from the game. However, the rain is looking set to affect the crucial third ODI at Holkar Stadium. And with only a few days remaining for the match, Holkar Stadium’s pitch curator Samandar Singh Chauhan has become a worried man. With the ground remaining under covers due to rain, the ground staff has struggled to prepare the ground.
“It has been a big challenge to get the ground ready. The whole ground has been covered. We have been struggling to get the ground dry,” Singh told The Hindustan Times.
Singh further said that the weather is likely to remain clear on the match day, that is Sunday (September 24).
“We are in touch with the Met department. It will be cloudy on Saturday and there will be clear skies on Sunday. However, there is a threat of a short, passing shower,” Singh said.
Meanwhile, Singh is no stranger to the build-up to a match being marred by rain. Last year, during the Test against New Zealand, it rained for a couple of days before the start of the match but the game went on smoothly.
“In the Test match last year, there was rain on October 6 and there was rain on October 7. However, there was not much rain as compared to this year,” Singh said.
India are currently leading the five-match series 2-0 and will be looking to wrap up the series in Indore.
