Kolkata: The Australian team was forced to train indoors Tuesday while the Indian team abandoned their practice session due to persistent rain and hazy conditions.
The series-opener in Chennai was a truncated affair due to rain and the second ODI here Thursday could also be hit by poor weather.
Eden Gardens has been under the covers for the last two days. Steve Smith-led Australians arrived in the morning and quickly changed their plan as their batsmen hit the indoor facilities, while bowlers returned to the team hotel.
“Doubt we will be out on the ground today,” posted Australia vice captain David Warner on his twitter handle with a photo of Eden Gardens under cover.
India were slated to train in the evening session but seeing the ground reality they were quick to cancel the session. “Since it’s raining and the facilities are covered, they (players) won’t go to the stadium today,” read an official communication from Team India.
“We need at least two hours of sunshine to get the ground ready. We are well-equipped, we are keeping our fingers crossed. The good thing is we still have two days,” East Zone curator Ashish Bhowmick told this agency.
Meanwhile the Met officials stated here that conditions will certainly improve by Wednesday. However, chances of rain cannot be ruled out during the game Wednesday.
“The present condition is due to low pressure over the Bay of Bengal,” said IMD director Ganesh Das. “The low pressure will pass by tomorrow (Wednesday), but there are chances that it could rain Thursday,” he added.
Press trust of India
