Rain halts Indias fast progress
Sports Reporter
Indias aspiration to enforce a positive result in the one-off Test against Bangladesh got a severe blow after the whole second day was called off without a ball being bowled due to heavy monsoon rain yesterday.
With a session on the first day had already washed out and the next three days weather forecast not looking good, the Test seemed to head towards a draw. Bangladesh had earlier drawn a Test against India in Chittagong in 2007 with the blessings of rain.
If the Test is drawn India will slip to No. 4 in the ICC Test rankings from the No.3. While a draw will give Bangladesh to 41.21 rating points from 39, it wont bring about a change in their ninth rank, ahead of only Zimbabwe.
As there was consistent rain till the afternoon, the umpires called it day at around 1.30 pm. The players of the both team however didnt come to the ground and confined them into the hotel room.
The rain in this month was not unexpected as generally monsoon hits the country in June. Therefore Bangladesh always remain reluctant to play international cricket in the country in this month. They played a three-match one-day series against India in this month last year which also was affected by rain and even forced a match wash out completely.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) was willing to organise this short series in April-May but because of IPL, India didnt play any series during this period.
The rain however stopped at afternoon and it was possible to play at least one hour given the world class drainage system at Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium which could prepare the ground with short notice. But in line with the ICCs new guideline about lightning , the match was called off. According to the ICCs new rule when there is possibility of lightning due to inclement weather, the game shouldnt be held.
The rain was stopped and we could make the ground prepared for the game within a short notice given the world class drainage system we got here. But there was lightening which made it impossible to continue the game.
India marched strongly despite 34 overs were lost on the day one as Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay batted fluently to help the side rack up 239 without losing any wicket. Dhawan on his comeback Test smashed 150 off 158 with the help of 21 boundaries while Vijay was restrained in his 89 off 178 which included eight fours and a six.
The BCB was expected to earn a huge profit from this series through the TV rights as playing against India remains lucrative always but rain-affected game means they would not earn much as per the expectation.
