BENGALURU: This was the last thing Royal Challengers Bangalore wanted. Rain did not allow their game against Sunrisers Hyderabad to even start on Tuesday. Amid persistent showers, the match was called off at 11 pm without a ball being bowled.
The skies opened up almost two hours before the scheduled 8 pm start. While it seemed to be just a bit of summer showers, it turned out to be continuous rain and a cruel blow to RCB. The funny thing was, there was no trace of it all just a few kilometers away from M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The teams got a point each and RCB moved up to sixth spot from last with five points. SRH are third with nine points.
As far as the spectators were concerned, it was fun and frolic with music to make up for the disappointment.
The injured KL Rahul was seated in the corporate stands and some of the fans had a field day, getting pictures taken with the batsman.
RCB could ill afford this. Their batting has been far from its best. The last match against Kolkata Knight Riders was as disastrous as it could get. They are known for putting up huge totals batting first and chasing down big ones.
However, in the 2017 edition of IPL, they have not lived up to that reputation. To add to their woes, Chinnaswamy Stadium has played its part.
The nature of the pitch seems to have changed so drastically, that RCB’s famed batting struggled to put up big totals at this smallish ground. They actually seem to be turning into a team that has to depend more on bowling. What a change in fortunes!
It is a plain fact now. RCB have to start winning games to have any hope of making it to the knockout stage. As if they did not have enough to worry about, nature seems to have dealt another blow to their chances.
Match officials came out several times to inspect the ground but there was no respite from the rain. The ground staff stood ready to get the covers off if the rain stopped, which was not to be.
RCB coach Daniel Vettori, SRH coach Tom Moody, team officials and a few players were seen out on the ground to check the conditions. A couple of SRH players were trying a few warm-up drills.
With the new drainage system in place at the stadium, play could have resumed very quickly. It was just that the rain never stopped.
vivekphadnis@newindianexpress.com