As Bengaluru continued to endure one of its wettest Novembers since records began, the second day’s play in the second Test between India and South Africa was called off without a single ball being bowled.
A steady drizzle in the morning had delayed start of play at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium before easing off. But minutes ahead of a rescheduled 10:30 a.m. beginning, the rain came down a little heavier, and did not let up for the next four hours.
Super-soppers continued to mop up any standing water on the covers, in order to facilitate a quick resumption once the downpour stopped.
But with a blanket of grey overhead and no sign of any respite from the rain, play was called off at 2 p.m.
It will frustrate India, which was seeking to strengthen its hold on the contest. The home side’s bowling coach, Bharat Arun, however, saw no reason to fret.
“There is a long way to go in this Test match,” he said. “Anything can happen. We will take it session by session. We will look to put up a very good total to be in the driver’s seat.”
Play is scheduled to begin 15 minutes early on Monday, with the home side 80 for no loss in response to South Africa’s first innings score of 214. The forecast for the next few days, however, remains grim.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Cricket Association will refund spectators, who had purchased tickets for the second day’s play, in full.
All tickets to the day’s action (or the lack of it) had been sold out, revealed Vinay Mruthyunjaya, the KSCA spokesperson.
