Calcutta: The deciding T20I between Australia and India in Hyderabad on Friday was abandoned because of wet outfield without a ball being bowled. Even the toss didn’t take place because of the conditions.

The three-match series thus ended tied at 1-1.

Over two weeks of rain leading up to the match meant the ground had seeped in a lot of water. It left behind many damp patches across the outfield and was finally deemed unfit to play.

Questions had been raised about Hyderabad’s preparedness to host an international match and it finally turned out to be true.

While most parts of Hyderabad received heavy rainfall on Friday, it didn’t rain in the vicinity of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium at Uppal. 

CK Nandan and Anil Chaudhary, the two on-field umpires, along with Match Referee Richie Richardson conducted three inspections at 6.15 pm, 7.00 pm and 7:45 pm respectively, but despite the untiring efforts of the ground staff, the field could not be made ready and the match was called off around 8.30 pm.

It was particularly disappointing for the fans who had turned up in anticipation of an exciting finale in what was the first T20I at the venue.

Persistent rain in the lead up to the series decider had left the outfield soft and muddy. It didn’t help that the outfield was not always covered. 

Though there was at least two hours of clear weather before the first ball was due, the groundstaff were unable to make good enough progress for the game to begin.

It was reported that the pitch, the square and even the bowler's run-ups were relatively fine but certain areas beyond the 30-yard circle were unsafe. 

Even pedestal fans had been used on the eve of the match to dry the outfield.

The abandonment reflected very poorly on the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), which has been embroiled in various controversies of late.

A lot also depends on the local cricket administration and how they have prepared for an international match. In this case, the HCA was found lacking in every aspect. They even failed to meet the basic requirement of covering the whole ground.

The HCA could learn a lesson or two from the Sourav Ganguly-headed Cricket Association of Bengal. It was because of Sourav’s untiring efforts that Eden Gardens managed to host the India-Pakistan group league match despite there being a downpour some hours before the start in the World T20 last year.

The CAB has procured covers from England that can protect the entire periphery of the ground . The drainage system at the Eden has also been improved drastically after Sourav took charge.

It may be recalled that an India-South Africa ODI was washed out in October 2015 after it had rained for around half an hour in the afternoon. That led to drastic measures including a change of verteran curator Prabir Mukherjee.

Local associations need to take a lead if they want to improve the quality of the outfields. Not just Eden Gardens, the Wankhede and the Chinnaswamy too have superb drainage facilities.

Even the newly-constructed Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati has the best drainage. 

The second T20I of the series was possible there despite a persistent drizzle for close to an hour before the start.
It was reported that the pitch, the square and even the bowler’s run-ups were relatively fine but certain areas beyond the 30-yard circle were unsafe. 

“We are all very upset,” a member of the groundstaff said. “It has been raining for 21 days in a row now. There is no way we can fight against nature or God.” 

Most of the matches in the current series have been affected by the inclement weather during this time of the year. 
The first T20I in Ranchi was reduced to a six-over affair after rain arrived when India were completing their quota of 20 overs.

In Guwahati, there was rain before the start but superb drainage system at the venue made play possible. 

India won the rain-curtailed first T20I in Ranchi by nine wickets by DL method, while Australia bounced back to canter to an eight-wicket win in the second match in Guwahati.

India next play New Zealand for a series of one-dayers and T20Is before meeting Sri Lanka in Tests and one-dayers.