Cuttack: Before the second T20 International between here India And South Africa did not rule out the possibility of rain once or twice during the evening but will not affect the game, the Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) in Bhubaneswar on Sunday said.
The chance is 50:50. We cannot say for sure that there will be no rain in Cuttack on Sunday evening. RMC Bhubaneswar director HR Biswas told PTI that there may be light rain but there is no possibility of big rain.
Bivas said that the sky will remain cloudy. “Thunderstorms may occur in the evening and it will be known three to four hours earlier. However, there will be no heavy rain which may affect the match.
One Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) official said that preparations have been made to deal with the situation.
“In consultation with the BCCI technical committee, we have made sand based ground for better drainage. OCA has purchased rain cover for the entire FOP area from England. Apart from this, he has also bought another Super Supper from Australia. He said that even if it rains throughout the day, the ground preparation will be ready.
The international cricket event to be held in Odisha after a gap of two and a half years has created a lot of excitement among the cricket fans here.
Its craze was seen on Saturday when players of both the teams practiced at the Barabati Stadium here.
Match day is considered to be a non-match day. The stadium packed here in Cuttack to watch the #TeamIndia train, BCCI tweeted and shared pictures of players practicing against the backdrop of a sea of spectators.
The last international cricket match was played between India and West Indies on 22 December 2019 at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government in a statement urged sports fans visiting the match to take adequate precautionary measures to protect themselves from heatwave-like conditions and wear masks throughout the match.
Police Commissioner SK Priyadarshi said that wearing a mask is mandatory. No one will be allowed inside the Barabati Stadium without a mask on Sunday.
Any objects that can be used as projectiles such as water bottles, lighters, matches and helmets are prohibited inside the stadium.
Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police Pinak Mishra said the match tickets clearly read ‘No Mask No Entry’ and asked spectators not to bring coins, knives and other items.
Only mobile phones and sunglasses would be allowed inside the stadium, he said, adding that food would also not be allowed in the stadium.
Food will be available only at the stalls set up by the OCA, which has also made elaborate arrangements for drinking water in the pavilions.
Mishra said that around 62 platoons (1 platoon comprising 30 personnel) would be deployed during the match, for which the toss would be held at 6.30 pm. The gates of Barabati Stadium will be opened for the entry of spectators from 3 pm on Sunday.
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