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Damp patches on the pitch due to rain forced the abandonment of the first Twenty20 international between India and Sri Lanka without a ball being bowled in Guwahati on Sunday despite groundsmen even turning to a hair dryer and steam iron in a desperate attempt to save the game.<\/p>\n
The pitch and the square at the start of the three-match series were covered after rain started falling just after the toss won by India skipper Virat Kohli who elected to bowl first.<\/p>\n
But once the rain stopped, wet patches on the pitch were discovered as umpires and players, including Kohli, appeared unhappy with the playing conditions.<\/p>\n
Even a hair drier and a steam iron were used to try and dry the dampness on the 22-yard strip but commentators criticised the ground staff for letting water seep through the covers.<\/p>\n
Former India batsman Aakash Chopra called it a “schoolboy error” on the part of the groundsmen.<\/p>\n
Officials called off the match nearly three hours after the official start time of 07:00 pm (1330 GMT).<\/p>\n
The second match is scheduled for Tuesday in Indore.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n