IND v BAN 2019: India-Bangladesh second T20I under Cyclone Maha threat 

Heavy rain is predicted ahead of the second game of the three-match series.

Quite a few international games have been affected by climate change this year | Getty

The Delhi T20I between India and Bangladesh on Sunday may have escaped through safely despite threats of cancellation borne out of the city's severe air pollution but the second game of the three-match series in Rajkot this Thursday (November 7) might not be as lucky with the danger of cyclonic storm Maha hovering around. 

The weather forecast says that the cyclone could cause torrential rains in Saurashtra and South Gujarat. 

“Severe cyclonic storm Maha lay centred at 580 kilometres southwest of Diu and 550 kms southwest of Veraval," regional IMD director Jayanta Sarkar told PTI. "It is most likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and make landfall between Dwarka and Diu on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning with wind speeds of 120 kilometres per hour."

Read Also: Ian Chappell warns cricket against effects of climate change 

The next match if washedout would help Bangladesh maintain the 1-0 series lead after a valiant seven-wicket victory in the national capital. 

"The storm will cause heavy to very heavy rains in Saurashtra and south Gujarat on November 6-7. It is moving towards Oman but will recurve towards Gujarat coast on Monday," Sarkar added.

Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle has also expressed his concerns over the weather forecast this week. 

"And now, with a game in Rajkot ahead, news of a cyclone on the West coast on Nov 06/07 with a danger alert issued to fishermen on the Saurashtra coast," Bhogle wrote over Twitter. "Hope it isn't dangerous for the people living there. The weather has been most unpredictable this year."

Even premier India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took note of the issue and suggested the climate change is indeed hurting the sport. 

"Nature is showing its displeasure!" tweeted Ashwin. 

(Inputs from PTI)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 04 Nov, 2019

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