Florida, June 15 (UNI) Anticipation was high for the showdown between India and Canada in the ongoing T20 World Cup, but fans were left waiting as the toss was delayed due to a persistently damp outfield here on Saturday.
The delay prompted officials to schedule another inspection at 21:00 IST. With significant time allocated for assessments before overs deductions come into play, hopes remain high for a favorable outcome in the next inspection.
Umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula, accompanied by Chris Gaffaney, were seen walking in the ground for the inspection. Despite efforts from ground staff employing large hair dryers to tackle the wet patches, the pitch and square remained under covers.
In the midst of the delay, live footage captured Indian captain Virat Kohli engaging with Canadian players, umpires, and inspecting the conditions himself. Meanwhile, India's coaching staff Rahul Dravid, Vikram Rathour, and Paras Mhambrey and Skipper Rohit Sharma, engaged in lengthy discussions.
With Team India concluding their New York leg and now in Florida for the final group game, batsmen were keen to get some practice on the field after successfully navigating tricky pitches at Nassau County. However, inclement weather, which led to a washout the previous day, has dampened their preparations.
While Canada has shown promise in the tournament, defeating Ireland and putting up strong performances against USA and Pakistan, they face a formidable challenge against India. As the weather holds steady for now, hopes remain high for a thrilling encounter should conditions permit. Toss and team announcements are eagerly awaited as cricket enthusiasts remain tuned in.
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