India vs South Africa Bangalore Test Day 5 Highlights: Match Called Off Due to Wet Outfield, Hosts Lead Series 1-0
The Bangalore Test will not be remembered for the right reasons. After a dominating performance by India on day one, the match was washed out for four consecutive days. This match has ended in a damp squib, with India leading 1-0. Relive all the highlights here.
Four out of four in the Garden city as rain washed out play for the fourth consecutive day. When day five dawned, there was no rain and most of the covers had come off. The umpires felt that the outfield was still not in good shape and scheduled an inspection at 11:30. However, the drizzle returned and the match ended in a tame draw. Catch all the moments here. (SCORECARD | LATEST NEWS | VIDEOS)
© BCCI
11:35 hrs IST: And that, ladies and gentleman, is that! The game has been called off in Bangalore after four consecutive washouts. It has been a forgettable Test for both India and South Africa. AB de Villiers will not look back on this Test fondly. South Africa will be glad for the rain while India will feel that they have been denied a chance to go 2-0 up.
11:17 hrs IST: Most parts of the ground are still covered. Two things could be possible. Either the umpires will call for another inspection or they might take the decision to call the game off.
11:10 hrs IST: The drizzle has stopped but the ground staff are not rushing out to remove the covers. Do they feel that there is more rain in store?
10:48 hrs IST: The drizzle is just lingering on at the Chinnaswamy. It is not too heavy but it is also not good for the 11:30 AM inspection.
10:29 hrs IST: The outfield has taken a considerable pounding due to two days of rains. The ground staff did all they could to ensure that damage was limited to a minimum.
© BCCI
10:08 hrs IST: The day is following similar to script like the fourth. There will be another inspection at 11:30 AM. Although some of the covers are off, heavy dark clouds are still lingering.
09:41 hrs IST: The rain is easing off slightly in Bangalore but will the 10:00 PM inspection happen? Fingers crossed for the moment.
09:30 hrs IST: With the amount of rain that has hit Bangalore, it has taken a toll on the outfield despite good drainage facilities. Should India do what Sri Lanka does which is to cover the entire ground when it rains? Sri Lanka's ground staff are excellent when it comes to saving the ground from the rains as they cover the whole area very quickly.
09:22 hrs IST: No change in the situation. The rain continues in Bangalore.
09:07 hrs IST: The rain has picked up. Sigh! More covers are coming on and the skies are not looking all too friendly.
08:57 hrs IST: Looks like even the inspection at 10:00 is looking doubtful. It has started to drizzle in Bangalore and the ground staff are bringing out the covers. It has been that kind of a Test match.
08:51 hrs IST: Looking at the way how the umpires were going around in the outfield, the signs are not too good. There are still some damp patches. The sun has not been shining all too brightly and this has caused further problems.
08:45 hrs IST: Hello and welcome to this rain-ruined second Test between India and South Africa from Bangalore. First things first! It is not raining in Bangalore but it is cloudy. The pitch is covered but some patches of the outfield are still damp. There will be an inspection at 10:00 AM. Hoping for some action.
© BCCI
The Bangalore Test has achieved a hat-trick. For three consecutive days, rain has washed out play and chances of enforcing a result look bleak. The last time a Test was washed out for three consecutive days in India was 10 years ago. (Day Four Report) (Day Four Highlights)
In December 2005, India and Sri Lanka were the teams and Chennai bore the brunt of Cyclone Baaz. The first three days of the match were washed out and play finally resumed on Day 4. India were bowled out for 167 and Sri Lanka managed 168/4 in the remaining two days. The Test marked the debut of Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the match ended in a damp squib. (Ajinkya Rahane Became a Successful Slip Fielder After Hundreds of Catches)
The situation is similar in Bangalore and chances of forcing a result are remote. India are 80/0 in response to South Africa's 214, trailing by 134 runs. Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay will have to bat out of their skins if they are to gain a sizeable lead. India will be battling against time if their bowlers have to take 20 wickets. Will India be determined to push for an outright result or will South Africa hang on?