IND vs SA: BCCI make special plans to beat the heat in Delhi in series-opener

India face-off with tourists South Africa for a five-match T20I series starting from June 9 (Thursday) at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi. The Delhi weather has been one of the main talks in both the camps as temperatures have been constantly reading over 40 degrees Celsius. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have made special plans to tackle the scorching heat during the games.

Although matches are scheduled for evenings, extreme temperatures are felt until late in the day. It is reported that the BCCI has planned to introduce a cooling break after 10 overs during the innings in the T20I series, according to the Times of India. Earlier, India captain Rishabh Pant expressed his concern over the Delhi weather in a press conference, saying that the Indian team has not played in such heat in a long time. Even South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, after arriving in Delhi, put out on social media, asking how people survive in such heat.

We might get tired early: Rishabh Pant

Skipper Pant said that the team might get dehydrated too early but feels that it is part and parcel of the game. He said that the team needs to just keep on improving, focus on the tactics and not think about the heat too much. The visiting captain Temba Bavuma, on the other hand, also expressed his thoughts about the weather, saying that he did not expect it to be as hot as it is. The Proteas skipper stressed that his players were trying to keep themselves as fresh as they can.

“This is the first time we are playing with these kinds of conditions in India after a long time. We might get dehydrated; we might get tired early, but I think it’s part and parcel of the game. We just have to keep improving and not think about the heat too much, focus on game tactics,” said Pant, as quoted by Zee News.

South Africa skipper Bavuma said: “We expected it to be hot, not this hot. Fortunately, the games are being played in the evening. At night, it is more bearable. The guys are trying to keep themselves hydrated. Keeping themselves as mentally fresh as they can.”