The wet patch was the reason team India didn’t play their first match of 2020. The first T20I match against Sri Lanka in Guwahati was called off, and no ball was played. Fans had to go to their home without seeing favourites playing the match. Former Indian cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Zaheer Khan were also disappointed with unprofessionalism during the match.
Soon after the Indian captain Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to field first, it began raining and immediately the pitch was covered by the ground staff. The rain stopped after one hour, expectations increased for starting off that match. But either a hole in cover or a human mistake, ended the hopes of the fans to see their favourites. After the covers were removed, umpire inspected the field, and a wet patch was found meters away from the stumps.
To dry that patch, hairdryer, vacuum cleaner and iron were used which brought more criticism from fans. But the time passed, and no solution was found to dry that patch. Finally, the match was called off.
Gautam Gambhir expressed that he was feeling sorry for the spectators who have come to watch. He opined that Guwahati ground didn’t get many international matches, therefore, this irresponsibility on the part of the ground staff has been unfair.
“There are some damp spots on the wicket and that is very very unfortunate. It’s gonna be very unfair for the fans… if this game gets even more shortened because of the wicket that is so so unprofessional.”
“I think these small things need to change because there’s so much viewership, there’s so much of craziness. This is probably the second game that’s happening in this stadium and you want games to start on time. I know you can’t do much about the rain but the moment the rain stops, you got to [resume], but it doesn’t look that great.”
Baraspara Cricket Stadium at Guwahati has hosted only two international matches before this T20I. One T20I against Australia and another ODI against West Indies. India lost the T20I one while won the ODI one easily.
Zaheer Khan also complained about the ground staff work:
Rainwater reportedly seeped through leaking covers that were used to cover the pitch. This mistake has led the criticism from the former pacer Zaheer Khan. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the work of groundstaff.
“When there is water on the wicket that really changes the dynamics of the game. Everyone was shocked because the rain stopped and in today’s day and age this is the last thing on your mind that water has gone on the wicket through the covers.
“Bit disappointing but we don’t know the exact story. Maybe the pitch wasn’t covered properly because to hear a cover not being taken properly is something which is unheard of,” Zaheer told Cricbuzz.