The first Test of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka is under rain threat. The metrological department has predicted moderate showers on November 16 – the day of the first Test.
“The sky over Calcutta will remain overcast from Wednesday to Friday under the impact of a well-marked low-pressure area that is making its way up the Bay of Bengal along the Indian coast,” The Telegraph quoted an official in the weather department as saying.
Earlier in 2015, Eden Gardens outfield and drainage system came under a lot of criticism after an IPL season 8 match and a Twenty20I match between India and South Africa were abandoned as the umpires, after frequent inspections, decided to call off the match due to the wet outfield.
The India-Australia ODI at Eden on September 21, 2017, witnessed rain, too.
In 2016, Cricket Association of Bengal-led by former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly brought some changes in the drainage system and took some important steps.
Sourav Ganguly ordered a brand new pitch cover from England, also called hover cover, which can cover the entire ground in 15-20 minutes. Earlier it took a lot of time to get the ground covered.
Under Sourav Ganguly’s supervision, a whole new coring process was done in the outfield to prevent water logging. CAB also ordered two more super soppers from Australia. Previously, they had only 3 super soppers.
Following the changes, CAB ground committee head Debabrata Das had told IANS that if it rains for even four hours now, the water will drain out in 20 minutes from Eden Gardens.
Das said,
We have brought in machines which can absorb water that is left on the pitch cover. We have all the modern equipment which are necessary now, including zero-point grass cutters and super soppers.
The first Test match between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to start at 9 PM IST, while the toss would be held at 8: 30 PM. According to the reports, the current Eden Garden’s Pitch might be a paradise for spinners.
