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The rain proves to be a pain

April 26, 2012 01:21 am | Updated July 13, 2016 04:49 pm IST - Bangalore:

NOT A PRETTY SIGHT: Fans at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium were witness to these scenes on Wednesday. Photo: G.P. Sampath Kumar

Until recently, Bangalore's old-timers moaned about the inexplicable change in the Garden City's weather from its earlier salubrious version to the current scorching summer.

The media too played up Tuesday's high of 37.5 degree celsius and analysed the lack of pre-monsoon showers.

However when the skies opened up on Wednesday evening, the city's denizens, especially those who trooped in to the Chinnaswamy Stadium, gazed at the clouds with mounting frustration.

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Close on the heels of the wet blanket that marred the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday, the Indian Premier League witnessed another washout as the contest between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Kohli at the helm

The game suffered a false dawn as the rain eased a bit around 8 p.m. and the game was rescheduled for a delayed start at 9 p.m.

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Virat Kohli, who led RCB in the absence of an injured Daniel Vettori, opted to field. The host pencilled in Andrew McDonald as Vettori's replacement and for Chennai Super Kings, Albie Morkel was back in the playing eleven.

The eager fans roared in delight but the showers returned with a vengeance and at 10.30 p.m., umpires Sudhir Asnani and Billy Doctrove called off the match.

It was for the first time that an IPL fixture was abandoned after the toss and finally the only cricket that the venue witnessed was the one which was beamed in on the giant screen for a while — the clash between Mumbai Indians and King's XI Punjab!

A point each

The climate's fickle ways ensured that CSK and RCB gained a lone point each and now occupy the third and fourth spots respectively in the IPL table.

The despondent fans can either seek refund or an exchange of tickets, subject to availability, for the match on May 2 against Kings XI Punjab at the venue.

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