India-Lanka first T20 match abandoned due to rain

Guwahati: Rain played a spoilsport as India-Srilanka first T-20 match was abandoned without a single ball being bowled here at Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The downpour started around 1850 hrs continued till 1950 hrs. During the time the field got wet and more specifically the pitch was affected as the ground staff tried their best but umpire and match referee decided against holding a play in an unsuitable condition.

Earlier, India won the toss and elected to field first. "Looking from past records it appears that chasing will be a good option....the ground is small and in the second innings dew will be a factor", skipper Virat Kohli said after winning the toss.

On the other hand, Sri Lankan skipper Lasith Malinga  said, "We would won't min batting first, hopeful to put a big score". 

This was India's first match in the New Year 2020. Shikar Dhawan made his place in the playing eleven in absence of opener Rohit Sharma, while Angelo Mathews the hard hitting finisher of Sri Lanka is back in the squad. 

Earlier, in a pre-match press conference on Saturday, Virat Kohli had said that he expected the game to be high scoring one and it will test the fighting ability of bowlers in a batsman friendly wicket.

India had played its last 50 over match here in the same venue against West Indies which was a high scoring game which the Men in Blue won with a considerable ease.

The second match of this three-match series will be played on Tuesday in Indore while the final game is scheduled to be held in Pune on January 10. (UNI)