Cricket - India v South Africa - First ODI - Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, India - March 12, 2020 General view inside the stadium as the pitch is covered during the rain delay to the start of the match REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
The first one-day international between India and South Africa in the northern Indian city of Dharamsala was called off without a ball being bowled due to incessant rain on Thursday.
While several international sporting events have been cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, the two cricket boards decided to go ahead with three one-day internationals despite concerns.
The Indian government said on Thursday it wanted the national cricket team's upcoming matches to be played in empty stadiums - an unheard-of occurrence in a country where the sport is a national obsession.
Cricket - India v South Africa - First ODI - Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, India - March 12, 2020 General view inside the stadium during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
A sizeable crowd still gathered in the Dharamsala ground, with local match organisers saying they had not received the government directive. The fans were, however, left disappointed as the rains did not relent.
The Indian cricket board (BCCI), however, confirmed that the remaining matches will be played without any spectators.
"After holding discussions with the MYAS (sports ministry) and MOHFW (health ministry), the BCCI on Thursday announced that the remaining two One-day Internationals (ODIs) ... will be played without any public gathering, including spectators," the board said in a statement.
Cricket - India v South Africa - First ODI - Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, India - March 12, 2020 India players during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis
The second ODI will be held in Lucknow before Kolkata's Eden Gardens hosts the final match.
The International Cricket Council, the sport's world ruling body, also said it will hold its board meetings at the end of March in Dubai via conference call.
Cricket - India v South Africa - First ODI - Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, India - March 12, 2020 General view of the silhouettes of spectators inside the stadium as the pitch is covered during the rain delay to the start of the match REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly; Editing by Pravin Char and Ed Osmond)
Cricket - India v South Africa - First ODI - Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, India - March 12, 2020 General view of fans using umbrellas inside the stadium as the start of the match is delayed by rain REUTERS/Adnan AbidiCricket - India v South Africa - First ODI - Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, India - March 12, 2020 General view of fans wearing rain macs inside the stadium as the start of the match is delayed by rain REUTERS/Adnan AbidiCricket - India v South Africa - First ODI - Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala, India - March 12, 2020 General view of covers being placed over the pitch as the start of the match is delayed by rain REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
