IND v SA 2019: Dharamsala groundstaff having sleepless nights with rain predicted for 1st T20I

The first T20I between India and South Africa to be played on Sept 15.

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala | Getty

The Proteas are scheduled to tour India for a three-match T20I series and a three-match Test series. The Test series will begin after the T20I series which is starting on Sunday (15 September) at Dharamsala.

As the game gets closer, the ground staff at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala are trying their best to prepare a good pitch for the match and with rain predicted on Wednesday, the monsoon might play spoilsport.

While talking to IANS, a source in the know of the development said, “The thing with the place is that once it starts raining, it goes on for a couple of days. The team is doing its job, but the problem is that you need at least around six or seven days leading into the game where the weather is perfect to prepare the wicket and with forecast for rain leading into the game on Sunday, sleepless nights are on the cards.

When the source was asked about the wicket helping pacers due to rain, he said, “See, the conditions here anyway hand the faster bowlers a slight edge. But yes, if covers are on for long periods of time and the wicket doesn’t get enough sunlight, it will definitely slant more towards the faster bowlers. That could then lead to a situation where the ball dominates the bat.

With India resting senior pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and South Africa having Kagiso Rabada With Junior Dala for company, it could be a case of the Indian batsmen feeling the heat.

Thus, it will be interesting to see how the wicket behaves on Sunday and how the Indian, as well as South Africans, assess the conditions.

(With IANS inputs)

 
 

By Swapnil Shireesh Javkhedkar - 11 Sep, 2019

    Share Via