No play on Day One

Despite the presence of the Super Sopper, the groundsmen had a tough task. The umpires, it appeared, were reluctant to start play, even if it had not rained in the afternoon. They were sceptical about conditions improving dramatically. And as soon as it rained, the day’s play was immediately called off.

When South was host to the Duleep Trophy match between the two a decade ago, it was abandoned at Vijayawada without a ball being bowled. Play was ruled out from day one though the players and the umpires had to go through the formality of waiting till the final day before the spin of coin was taken. The ground was so soggy that when the coin was tossed up, it got stuck in the mud and a re-toss had to be taken. East skipper Arun Lal won the toss to take his side to the next round.

It was in the fitness of things that East won the toss on that occasion for in the earlier instance when rains prevented a result between these two teams, Hanumant Singh of Central had won the toss to send East crashing out.

With overcast conditions prevailing over the city, a prompt start tomorrow is unlikely.