India vs Sri Lanka: Fans In Disbelief As Ground Staff Use Hair Dryer To Dry Pitch

In a desperate attempt to dry the pitch for the first T20I between India and Sri Lanka, the Guwahati ground staff did their best and came up with some never-seen-before measures. The first game for Team India this year was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to the wet outfield.

Rain water reportedly seeped through leaking covers that were used to cover the pitch at the Barsapara Stadium. Despite the ground staff trying all that they could, the match was called off without a ball bowled. And while the ground staffs were desperately trying to prepare the pitch, they were seen using hair dryers, steam irons and vacuum cleaners for the wet patches on the pitch.

Not the news that we would want to hear, but the 1st T20I between India and Sri Lanka has been abandoned due to rain.

See you in Indore #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/72ORWCt2zm

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2020

The wet patch became a major area of concern as it delayed start of the 1st T20I even hours after the rain stopped. And around 10 pm, the umpires eventually called the game off. Former India opener-turned commentator Aakash Chopra said on-air that it was disappointing to see such kind of preparation for an international game.

“The outfield is bone-dry so I’d say it’s a schoolboy error that the water has seeped onto the pitch. Perhaps there are a few holes in the covers. It’s really disappointing preparation for an international game,” Aakash Chopra told Star Sports.

Meanwhile, the usage of hair dryer to repair the large damp patches on the pitch invited criticism from fans on social media. Not only the Indian fans but fans from Pakistan and Sri Lanka also mocked the usage of hair dryer and steam irons.

Here are some of the reactions:

Ground staff man: How can we dry this pitch for the match

Virat: Well, I dry my wet clothes using an Iron or a hair dryer

Ground staff man: say no more#BCCI#SLvsIND

— Tharaka Romesh (@DTRomesh) January 5, 2020

Such a powerful hair-dryer…. Indian jugaad! ?? #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/JKsiO0Vq09

— Tridib Baparnash ॐ (@TridibIANS) January 5, 2020

Hair dryer and iron (Yes the one used for ironing clothes) deployed to dry the pitch. LOL. Unprecedented.

On serious note, heads need to roll at @BCCI @SGanguly99 #INDvsSL

— Gaurav Chattur (@chatturg) January 5, 2020

https://twitter.com/manitronics/status/1213854469160652800

Cutting edge pitch drying technologies used today…??? #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/DHRq1LHit5

— Sohail Arshad (@S0hailArshad) January 5, 2020

1980 – will have flying cars in 2020

2020 – drying pitch with hair dryer #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/H6EM1zQwzm

— dp (@_dp912) January 5, 2020

Are you serious?? Using hair dryer and iron to dry the pitch?? Looks like world's richest cricket board @BCCI never heard of "Hover Cover" to dry the pitch. We are in the year 2020 for god's sake @SGanguly99. Please spare some fund @KirenRijiju ji ? #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/EN6z1vVPOs

— DS (@IForRealDS) January 5, 2020

Some people were annoying about England's ground staff during World cup. Now they are drying pitch by hair dryer..??#INDvSL

— SAFNAS HASHIM (@SafnasHasim) January 5, 2020

https://twitter.com/Cricprabhu/status/1213851385793409024?

Meanwhile, the second game will take place in Indore on Tuesday (January 7) while the third one will take place in Pune on January 10. Following the T20Is, India will lock horns against Australia in a three-match ODI series before flying to New Zealand for a full-fledged series.

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