After receiving a hammering at the hands of India in the 1st ODI, the Australians would be itching to bounce back in the 5-match series. But they might have to wait a little longer as there is a huge threat of rain looming over the 2nd ODI scheduled to be played at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.
The two sides would have been hoping for a good practice session after arriving in the city from Chennai but heavy rains didn’t allow any of that. Australians were forced to practice indoors while Virat Kohli and his men canceled the session.
Sourav Ganguly, the President of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had mentioned recently that the new drainage system at the Eden soaks up the water on the outfield pretty quickly. But for that to happen, the rain needs to stop. The good thing about the venue is that whole of the outfield is covered while it rains.
As per the weather report of Kolkata for Thursday, it is expected to rain and the 66,000 fans at the stadium could be left disappointed. If the rain gods permit though, the Eden could prepare itself for a shortened game as well.
Pitch will be slow
The East Zone curator Ashish Bhowmick reckons that the pitch at the Eden will be slow. “If it pours, the way it did today (Monday), and we have to keep the pitch under covers, the ball will come onto the bat slow,” Bhowmick said.
Chief curator of the Eden Gardens, Sujan Mukherjee, said that the surface will assist both the batsmen and the bowlers if the game indeed happens. “The wicket will help both batsmen and bowlers. We are ready and conditions are ideal for one-day cricket,” Mukherjee said.
Sourav Ganguly was seen giving instructions to the ground staff and if the rain gods permit, the former Indian captain will leave no stone unturned in trying to ensure that the fans get to see their favorite stars in action.
good and timely news