Play called off for the day

After a long wait of four days, cricket did get under way in Sri Lanka finally, even if for just a handful of overs. Earlier supposed to be a tri-series, the Unitech Cup is now being contested for between just the subcontinent neighbours, India and Sri Lanka, in a three-ODI series, since South Africa decided to go home following a bomb blast in the capital.

India won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket that promised swing for the pacemen, especially because of the weather too. The Indian openers, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar, were greeted with bright sunshine, as they made their way out in the middle. However, just 3.4 overs later, they had to go off the field because of bad light, which then turned worse, and culminated into a thunderstorm, as a result of which play was called off for the day.

Amidst the little play that was possible, Dravid survived two confident leg-before shouts, however, he answered back with a thumping back-foot cover drive. He was unbeaten on nine when the play was interrupted, while the returning Tendulkar was on two, having faced just three deliveries.

The match now goes on to tomorrow, the reserve day. It is still supposed to be a 50-over contest, but since the rain has been pretty bad in the island country last few days, it is very likely that we may not have a full day tomorrow either, and thus a possibility of a shortened match.

India 11-0 in 3.4 overs
Rahul Dravid 9*, Sachin Tendulkar 2*