Relentless rain disrupted the first T20I match between South Africa and India at Kingsmead Stadium on Sunday, leading to the abandonment of the match before the toss.
The inclement weather persisted, prompting Sunil Gavaskar, former Indian batsman, to express frustration with the South Africa Cricket Board for not adequately covering the entire ground. Gavaskar argued that all cricket venues worldwide should have complete coverage, emphasizing that leaving parts of the field uncovered leads to prolonged delays even after the rain ceases.
Highlighting the consequences, Gavaskar referenced the 2019 World Cup, where numerous matches were abandoned due to insufficient ground coverage, resulting in teams losing points. He lauded Sourav Ganguly’s initiative at Eden Gardens, where the entire ground is covered during rain, citing it as a model for other cricket boards.
Drawing attention to Sri Lanka Cricket’s longstanding strategy of full ground coverage, Gavaskar urged boards to prioritize comprehensive protection against rain interruptions.
The abandoned game marked the first in a three-match series, with the second match scheduled in Gqeberha on Tuesday and the third in Johannesburg on Dec. 14. South Africa is also set to host India for three ODIs and a two-test series, with the ODIs taking place from December 17-21.
The first test is slated for December 26 in Centurion, followed by the second in Cape Town on Jan. 3, marking South Africa’s return to international cricket since their loss to Australia in the Cricket World Cup semifinal. Meanwhile, India secured a 4-1 victory over Australia in a bilateral T20I series at home after the World Cup.
