India and South Africa were left counting fingers and hours, while hopeful fans returned home hopeless as rain spoiled the opening T20I game between India and South Africa. The 1st Twenty20 international, which was supposed to be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (HPCA Stadium) in Dharamsala, was washed out without a ball being bowled. There were speculations that might play spoilsport in the game but what unfolded was unprecedented. The 1st T20I was called off due to inclement weather and relentless rainfall. India Vs South Africa, 1st T20I Scorecard.
The 1st T20I game had a cut-off time of 09:21 pm IST. But persistent rainfall, adding to the poor pitch conditions of the HPCA Ground, lead the umpires to call off the game without even the toss taking place. The turf had turned into a mini swimming pool and the ground was covered in lumps leading to game being called off. Both teams now move to PCA Stadium in Mohali for the 2nd T20I of the three-match series. the 2nd game will be played on September 18 (Wednesday). India vs South Africa Live Cricket Score of 1st T20I.
Game Called Off
The rains continue and the match has officially been called off. See you in Chandigarh for the 2nd T20I #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/BjZ9Y7QAf2
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 15, 2019
Virat Kohli’s men are aiming for their maiden T20I series victory against South Africa at home but the bigger for both sides -- as they head into a three-match Twenty20 series – will be the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia next year. India already kick-started their preparations for 2020 by clean-sweeping the T20I series against West Indies, while South Africa – still trying to get rid of the 2019 Cricket World Cup hangover – will begin fresh. The Proteas have already bid adieu to three of their limited-overs mainstays and will have a new captain in Quinton de Kock when they hit the ground for the first time post the World Cup debacle.
Groundsmen Worked But Heaven Won't Stop
Work in progress at the moment to get the ground ready here in Dharamsala 🤞🏻#INDvSA pic.twitter.com/Oqbsy3go0g
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 15, 2019
Hashim Amla, Imran Tahir and JP Duminy retired after a heartbreaking 2019 World Cup campaign, while South Africa will also miss the services of regular captain Faf du Plessis – who is currently playing for Kent – and Dale Steyn. De Kock, Rassie van der Dussen and Kagiso Rabada are the most experienced players in the Proteas team.
For India, it will be normal business. They have selected the same set of players that played against the West Indies in the T20I series, which included Deepak and Rahul Chahar, Shreyas Iyer and Krunal Pandya. The management, once again, left out spin duo Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal and are seemingly looking ahead of the two for the 2020 T20 World Cup in Australia.
But unlike South Africa's in-experienced contingent, India have pretty experienced and solid players in both the batting and bowling departments. They are led by run-machine Kohli in batting and by the always ready Jasprit Bumrah in bowling. India also play 14 T20I matches - including this one - before the 2020 T20 World Cup, which is five more than what South Africa will be playing before they travel to Australia in search for their maiden World Cup title.