Match abandoned without a ball bowled due to rain (no toss)
17:20 Local Time: It's come; the call's taken. Match abandoned. It started with a wet outfield that yesterday's downpour left behind, and it's ended in a sort of water logging. So from that T20 in September to an ODI in March, global warming and unseasonal rain has the final say. Yea, switch off your air-conditioners for cricket's sake. It's time we get out as well, and until Lucknow, with hopefully some cricket and possibly completely empty stands, on behalf of us, ta ta!!
17:13 Local Time: Hang in there, hang in there, they're taking an annoying amount of time to pull the plug.
THIS SHOULD BE IT. Just minutes remain ..
16:49 Local Time: Okay, we have news. The groundsmen are in a huddle out there in the middle. "Lots of puddles, still drizzling", courtesy our ground spy.
"You are advised to adhere to the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event," the Government of India release read. "In the event the sporting event cannot be avoided, the same could be done without allowing gathering of people, including spectators." -- which probably now means that the next two ODIs (where we might actually get in some cricket) could go down this route too, with empty stands.
16:30 Local Time: It's gone damn dark. There's still a couple of hours to turn it all around and script a miracle. And there are two poor super soppers out there given that responsibility.
Here, some more glum news -- the IPL is likely to be played in front of empty stands. It's going down the soccer route.
16:04 Local Time: How's the fog? Disappeared. How's the rain? Down to a drizzle. But how late is it before it is a little too late? Again, just to reiterate, we need a minimum of 40 overs to constitute a game, and we need to get started at 18:30 local. Also, the groundsmen might need an hour to clean up these puddles. So, go, do your math.
15:45 Local Time: It's pelting, we hear. Also, we hear, there's fog ..
15:40 Local Time: You had hopes of it starting any time soon? Really? Really? Well, if you did, you are alone my friend .. the rains are back. The crowds know, they've started leaving. And these are crowds who for a shocking change in the history of Indian stadium frisking, have been allowed to bring in their umbrellas. So it's not that they were getting drenched either. Hence, they know, they just know.
3:35 pm IST: It has stopped raining and the supersoppers are back in action. There are dark clouds overhead though.
3:15 pm IST: As rain continues to pelt Dharamsala, let's take a look at the upcoming IPL - will it be held on time? Will BCCI postpone the tournament? Or will IPL 2020 gets cancelled? If the tournament indeed goes ahead, with the visa restrictions in place, can the overseas players make it to India in time?
2:50 pm IST: Scratch the previous update. It has become dark and the groundstaff aren't taking any chances. Back come the covers. We have already started losing overs. We lose one over for every four minutes of play lost... Aaand rain's back
2:45 pm IST: It isn't raining, but the covers aren't been peeled off completely either. One on either side of the pitch stay firm. Super soppers still out and working relentlessly. But, unfortunately, it's getting dark again. We are also hearing that 6:30 pm is the cut-off time for a 20-over game. More on that once we get some confirmation
Bhupesh: Given the current weather situation, I would make it 20 overs per side match. Doesn't make sense to have one team bat 50 overs and then rain come and play spoilsport...Hope ICC does something about this and forms such rules..
2:25 pm IST: As we wait for all the covers to be removed, the inspection done and hopefully the toss to be conducted, why not read this piece by Telford Vice about the South African experience of playing cricket in India
2:05 pm IST: The covers are being removed slowly. The main pitch covers stay, but the ones around it are being peeled off first.
1:45 pm IST: 'The rain has completely stopped for now. But you can see dark, grey clouds hanging over the other side of the stadium from the press box. Groundsmen in the middle, in a conference. Probable unsure whether to wait or bring the super soppers out already. Full ground under covers. Meanwhile, the crowd is swelling,' pings Purnima. She also adds that the supersoppers are out now.
1:30 pm IST: Purnima with more bad news for people wanting to watch some action. 'Completely pelting down now, groundsmen are running for cover, and covers. The floodlights have been switched on'
1:25 pm IST: More from Purnima about COVID-19 - 'There were rumours that this will become a closed door event after the aggravating Coronavirus situation in the country and the health ministry's latest advisory, but nothing as such. There's a very low turnout though, which could also be because the weather was never going to be great. Only about 10-15% janta in the stadium as of now. Remember, about 90% of the stands here are open stands.'
1:20 pm IST: As we wait for the rain to ease out, here's a special feature from Purnima Malhotra about the precautions being taken by both teams in the event of COVID-19 spreading its tentacles across the world