India vs Australia 2017: Rain Threatens To Affect Second ODI Too

What could have been a brilliant thriller ended up being an one-sided game due to rain as India comfortably defeated Australia in the rain-curtailed series-opener. However, results could have been different if the world champions would have chased 282 in 50 overs instead of 164 in 21 overs. Well, the teams and fans can see another match being truncated as the weather is not promising in Kolkata- the venue for the second game, scheduled to be played on September 21.

The weather department has not ruled out the possibility of intermittent showers, especially in the evening hours which can play spoilsport in the crucial game. Meanwhile, the Eden Gardens remained under covers throughout Monday (September 18) due to the rain threat.

Kolkata is receiving frequent showers and Kolkata Met director Ganesh Das has blamed it on circulation over South Bengal.

“By September 21, the circulation will be gone but in this month rain is a possibility especially in the evening. It may not however continue for too long,” Das told PTI.

Meanwhile, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) officials are also taking no chance as the Eden Gardens is gearing up to host Australia for the first time since November 18, 2003.

“The pitch and ground conditions is just perfect. It’s an ideal condition what’s required for an One-Day International contest but I cannot say whether it will rain or not,” said CAB pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee.

When asked about the score the pitch can produce, he said: “Who would thought India to score 281/7 from being five down for 87 in the 22nd over. I cannot say they will make how many runs but the wicket will help both batsmen and bowlers.

He also said the ground is well equipped to negate the threat posed by the rain.

“We are equipped to cover the entire ground and there is enough machinery to clear up even if it rains but it depends on the intensity and duration,” Mukherjee said.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli & Co. are leading the five-match series 1-0 after winning the first match by 21 runs (DLS method). Batting first, the Men in Blue rode on fifties from Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni to recover from a shaky start and put up a challenging 281 for 7 in the allotted 50 overs. In reply, Australia could manage only 137 for 9 in pursuit of 164 in 21 overs.