Rainfall likely over Saurashtra as Maha weakens

Conditions have played a big part in the current series between India and Bangladesh, with Delhi hosting a full game despite poor air quality.

In a bulletin released on Thursday morning at 5:45 am, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated that Cyclone Maha has been moving eastwards with a speed of 10 kmph from the past six hours.

IMD has further said that Cyclone Maha is very likely to move east-northeastwards, weaken into a deep depression over the northeast and adjoining east-central Arabian Sea during next 12 hours, reports Times of India.

Reports suggest that as a result of Cyclone Maha weakening into a deep depression today, light to moderate rainfall at many parts of Gujarat with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places are likely over Saurashtra and Gujarat region.

The stadium here can be readied in an hour's time for play, provided rains stop before the start of play. It remained cloudy on Wednesday morning with the sun shining brightly in phases, bringing along humidity and heat. Both the teams preferred to train during the daytime for two days leading into the match.

However, heavy rains along with strong winds lashed the SCA stadium on Wednesday evening. Along with thunder and lightning, it continued for more than half an hour leaving large water puddles on the field. The pitch and the area around it was covered with multiple layers of tarpaulin.

For fifth-ranked India, a washout will mean that they will not win a series at home for the second consecutive time. For ninth-ranked Bangladesh, a washout would mean they would have averted a series loss in India and a big achievement considering their rocky build-up to the tour.