Rain played spoilsport on Saturday evening as Kolkata was all set to witness an India-Pakistan match, first in many decades.
The city - including its central areas where Eden Gardens is located - came to a standstill following heavy downpour around 5 pm. The crucial ‘Super 10’ match between Pakistan and India is expected to start around 7 pm.
The Hindu ’s Sports Correspondent Amitabha Das Sharma at Eden Gardens said that the rain started “exactly at the time when people were entering the stadium to witness what is described as a historic match.”
“It would be a test of the new drainage system and the under surface filling of sand which was done soon after the last India-South Africa match was washed away about six months back,” Mr. Das Sharma said.
“It would perhaps be a test for Sourav Ganguly as well, as this is the first big match after he took after as the president of Cricket Association of Bengal. Since, the other match [India-South Africa] could not be played as well after he took over as the president,” Mr. Das Sharma said.
From the southern edge of the city, he said that the rain may continue for a while. “I just had a word with the head of regional Meteorological office, G C Debnath and he told me that this is the first big Nor’wester of the season which would witness heavy downpour accompanied by thunderstorm,” Mr Das said.
“This may continue till 7.30 pm, according to Mr Debnath,” Soumya Das said. Match is not officially abandoned.
