RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY

India's Plans Could Come Unstuck Against Bangladesh In A Shortened Game

- Partha.Bhaduri

Adelaide: Australia’s maverick weather gods have conspired to put this city in a bizarre zone. It seems the whole of Adelaide has been transported to London. It’s unusually chilly, damp and gloomy. The rain is constant and although the forecast is slightly better for match day, it won’t be a surprise if showers interrupt play.

The rain, and not Bangladesh’s ability to surprise in what is turning out to be a tournament of surprises, is the biggest worry as Rohit Sharma’s men enter must-win territory on the only pitch that can be termed a batting beauty in this tournament.

India knew at some stage they would have to deal with a shortened game. The players were restricted to the indoor nets on match eve as an endless succession of mops kept the water out of the Adelaide Oval covers.

“You can’t go in thinking about it (rain) or planning for it,” said coach Rahul Dravid. “You don’t know how many overs it will be. You go in thinking it will be a 20-over game and you respond accordingly. We’ve been lucky, we’ve been able to play all three of our games for the full 20 overs. If the weather tomorrow forces us to play a 10 or 12-over game we’ll respond accordingly.”

Bangladesh-India games have had an uneasy edge over the past few years, including the 2016 T20 World Cup game which India won by one run in Bengaluru. A rain-curtailed match and India’s eastern neighbours might start fancying their chances.

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