Rain continues to threaten the only T20I between Sri Lanka and India

Sri Lanka and India will clash for one final time on this tour later this evening in the one-off T20 International in Colombo. The visitors whitewashed Sri Lanka in both Test and ODI series earlier by a 3-0 and 5-0 margin respectively. Though, the rain is threatening the T20 game which will be played in the evening today to be washed out.

Sri Lanka cricket is in turmoil following the ODI series loss to Zimbabwe and thrashing they’ve received at the hands of Team India. The visiting side on this tour has literally humiliated them in front of their home crowd. Though the trouncing in Test series was somewhat expected, the way Sri Lanka has capitulated in the shorter format has shocked to everyone. The whole series was one-sided with the hosts competing only in the second ODI for a brief while when Akila Dananjaya picked up a 6-wicket haul and tumbled the Indian batting line-up.

The unrelenting rain

On Tuesday, it was reported that the forecast for the game was not great. Well, the news seems to be coming true as it has been raining relentlessly in Colombo from yesterday. There is a possibility that the captains might not come out for the toss too. For now, things look bleak as India aim for a clean sweep on the tour and Sri Lanka look for redemption in the shortest format at least.

The cricket in the island nation is its pride and the groundsmen try their best to prepare the ground enough to ensure play as soon as the rain stops. They have covers around the whole ground when there is rain which leads to fewer puddles of water on the ground.

Also, the drainage system in place helps the cause as more often than not, play resumes soon post the rain stops. But for that to happen, the rain gods have to relent first, the possibilities of which look grim for now.

Here is how the ground looks like hours before the scheduled start of play: