Published: Sep 15, 2019, 08:00 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 15, 2019, 08:00 PM (IST)
India’s home season started with a wash out as the three-match T20I series opener against South Africa at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (HPCA) in Dharamsala was abandoned due to relentless rain on Sunday.
The match was called off without a ball being bowled. The game was scheduled to start at 7 PM (IST), with the toss scheduled at 6.30 PM (IST).
INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA 2019 | SCHEDULE | LATEST NEWS
“The rains continue and the match has officially been called off. See you in Chandigarh for the 2nd T20I #INDvSA,” tweeted BCCI as the match was called off.
The rains continue and the match has officially been called off. See you in Chandigarh for the 2nd T20I #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/BjZ9Y7QAf2
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 15, 2019
While the rain slowed down for a while as the covers were taken off ahead of the scheduled toss, it returned, forcing the match officials to call off the game.
India and South Africa, who were expected to begin their 2020 T20 World Cup preparations in the series opener, will now head to to Mohali which will be hosting the second T20I of the series on Wednesday.
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The last time South Africa toured India for a T20I series, they prevailed 2-0. Only de Kock, David Miller and Kagiso Rabada have returned from that side, which gives a huge opportunity for youngsters like allrounder Bjorn Fortuin, pacer Junior Dala and the lone spinner in Tabraiz Shamsi to shine.
While the visitors will be keen to have encore of the result which they achieved the last time around, India, under Virat Kohli, will be eager to register their first T20I win over the Proteas on the home soil.
