Heavy downpour forces India to cancel practice session

Heavy downpour in Ranchi has forced Team India to cancel their practice session on Thursday evening ahead of the first T20I against Australia on Saturday. Virat Kohli and his men were to train at the JSCA International Stadium Complex but the rain gods didn’t allow them the luxury. India will play a series of three T20 Internationals against the team from down under. The hosts have already won the ODI series by 4-1 and perched to the top of the ICC rankings in the 50-over format.

The Men in Blue were scheduled to train under lights at the ground but were deprived to do so as the showers lasted for 45 minutes. The rain forced them to stay put in their hotel rooms. Australia, however, had the luxury of training in the afternoon and went through their paces without being hampered by rain. The visitors are looking to salvage some pride after losing the ODI series and would love to defeat the rampant hosts in the shortest format of the game.

No threat of a washout

Despite the heavy rain cancelling the practice session of India, the official of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) was confident of the match not getting washed out. He has also claimed that it was a passing shower and it is normal at this time of the year. “Such passing showers are normal this time. But the good thing is rain comes and goes and is not prolonged this time of the year. We have adequate measures to prepare the ground for the match,” he said.

The second and third T20Is are set to be played in Guwahati and Hyderabad on October 10 and 13 respectively. The Barsapara Cricket Stadium will host its first International game after being approved by International Cricket Council (ICC) recently. The long home season of Team India after this series as New Zealand arrive for 3 ODIs and as many T20Is.