The first T20I match of three-match series between India and Sri Lanka didn’t get off to a perfect start at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium as rain gods played spoilsport to enforce a delayed start of the match. While the ground staff worked regressively with full fortitude to make the ground dry to help in a quick start, the capacity crowd in Guwahati made sure it made a stunning environment in the stadium by singing the national song of India – ‘Vande Mataram’ – in complete synchronization. For a moment, it gave everyone a feel of 2011 World Cup final which was played between two countries.
The fans took to their mobile phones to turn on the flashlights to make the environment even more compelling and sung ‘Vande Mataram’ in full voice. The official handle of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to social media platform to share a video from the ground as they captioned it: “Guwahati, you beauty #INDvSL”
Earlier, on a track which was expected to help spinners and make batting difficult, the Indian team left out Ravindra Jadeja as Kohli said they wanted to play Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav as the Sri Lankans have more left-handers in the side.
The cut off for a five-over shootout was 09.46 PM but the outfield could not be prepared in time. The groundsmen even used vacuum drier to remove the damp patches on the pitch, but it did not help much. The second match of the three-match series will be played on Tuesday in Indore while the final game is scheduled to be held in Pune on January 10.
