Published: Sep 15, 2019, 07:59 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 15, 2019, 07:59 PM (IST)
7.52 pm: That’s about it folks, such a dampener! We look now to the second T20I and it’s happening at Mohali on September 18. Do join us then for LIVE coverage. Until then, it’s goodbye!
India vs South Africa 2019: Full schedule, squads, venues, streaming details
7.41 pm: It’s official, the Twenty20 International at Dharamsala is officially abandoned due to heavy rain.
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
7.20 pm: LIVE pictures don’t reveal anything good. It is still pouring in Dharamsala and it’s almost like the evident is expected. The evident being a washout.
LIVE pictures at Dharamsala don’t reveal anything good. Impossible for play anytime soon, washout expected
FOLLOW LIVE: https://t.co/LBFY6YMBRx pic.twitter.com/ubrrwywtHq
— CricketCountry (@cricket_country) September 15, 2019
6.58 pm: Chances of play look almost impossible at Dharamsala!
The ground is a lake.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 15, 2019
6.51 pm: It’s almost like a deluge now, says Harsha Bhogle on air. Yes, that’s the story, the rain has got heavier and plenty of puddles are formed. Grim scenes now!
6.48 pm: The heavens have other plans and those are preventing start of play at Dharamsala!
Things not looking great here in Dharamsala at the moment. It is pouring ⛈️⛈️😢 #TeamIndia #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/azf8NDMVTV
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 15, 2019
6.42 pm: Scratch the earlier update, it’s pouring at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala! The scene does not look good.
6.31 pm: It’s official! The toss is delayed as inspection is underway. Thankfully, the rain has stopped!
Work in progress at the moment to get the ground ready here in Dharamsala 🤞🏻#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Oqbsy3go0g
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 15, 2019
6.09 pm: The heavy rain has been reduced to a slight drizzle, but there are still dark clouds hovering around, besides lot of puddles of water on the uncovered areas. Fingers crossed for some action soon!
South Africa are the only team India have played against and not registered a win in a Twenty20 International in India. #INDvSA
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) September 15, 2019
6.03 pm: Covers are firmly in place. Indian players have arrived at the stadium, but they are still in their dressing room.
LIVE | India vs South Africa Dharamsala Weather Update
6 pm: A very good evening to all of you, the much anticipated Twenty20 International series opener looks all set for a delayed start in Dharamsala, but don’t worry, we’re here to keep you updated. So, sit back and relax and let’s hope for LIVE action soon.
Raining in Dharamsala at the moment 😔
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 15, 2019
The countdown to the 2020 T20 World Cup begins here. After completing a series whitewash in the West Indies, India begin their long home 2019-20 season when the first of the three-match Twenty20 Internationals against South Africa gets underway at Dharamsala on Sunday (September 15).
INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA 2019 | SCHEDULE | LATEST NEWS
In fact, preparations for the ICC event in Australia next year already began in the Caribbean, but at home, grooming youngsters will be key. India have left out Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal for a second successive T20I assignment which offers more time to the likes of Rahul Chahar and Washington Sundar to enhance their reputation. Allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Krunal Pandya are around too and they both possess the ability to chip in with valuable runs lower down which also may enhance their stakes in the pecking order.
In the pace department, Deepak Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed and Navdeep Saini, all of who impressed on the recent tour of West Indies, will be given more time to perform and possibly battle for the last pacer’s slot once Bumrah returns.
READ: Five SA players to watch out for
India’s batting will see the reunion of openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, who had a poor tour of West Indies, scoring 1 (7), 23 (16) and 3 (5) in three T20I innings. India will hope Dhawan bounces back at home.
South Africa are in a stage of transition after a disastrous outing at the World Cup. In the absence of regular captain Faf du Plessis, who has been rested for the series, Quinton de Kock, who will be leading the side, will face quite a challenge to martial his young brigade, but the tourists, clearly the underdogs, can take heart from the fact that they are the only team yet to lose to Kohli and Co in India in the T20I format.
ALSO READ: Chief selector MSK Prasad explains why Chahal, Kuldeep have not been picked in T20I squad
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.
With both sides still nascent in their experimentation stage, a cracker of a contest looks to be played out at the picturesque venue in Dharamsala.
What: India vs South Africa 2019, 1st T20I
When: September 15, Sunday
Where: HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
Time: 7 pm IST
Weather: Scattered thunderstorms with a maximum high of 24 degrees Celsius
On TV: Star Sports Network (in India)
LIVE streaming: Hotstar
You can also follow LIVE streaming of the match on CricketCountry (India vs South Africa, 1st T20I: Scorecard)
