In the Asia Cup’s 2023 Super Four game between India and Pakistan, experienced Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his admiration for the ground staff in Colombo. This captivating game unfolded on September 10 at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Sri Lanka, but it was significantly impacted by continuous heavy rainfall.
Impressive beginning by the Indian openers
In the game, Pakistan won the toss and chose to field, and India initiated their innings with great vigor. They established a commanding 121-run opening partnership, with Rohit Sharma scoring a solid 56 and Shubman Gill contributing an impressive 58. The Men in Blue steadily progressed to the 100-run mark during the 14th over of their innings.
Rain interrupts play and groundstaff’s struggle to enhance the outfield
However, in the 25th over, an unexpected downpour disrupted the game. At that point, India’s score stood at 147/2, with KL Rahul (17) and Virat Kohli (8) at the crease. This heavy rainfall caused puddles to form in various parts of the field, necessitating swift action from the ground staff. Initially, they used a multitude of sponges to absorb the excess water from the ground. Nevertheless, during the first pitch inspection by the umpires, a significant portion of the pitch area remained damp and unsuitable for play.
Also READ: Asia Cup 2023, IND vs PAK – R. Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report, Colombo Weather Forecast For Reserve Day
Ground staff’s unconventional approach earns applause from Ravichandran Ashwin
Demonstrating an exceptional blend of creativity and determination, the ground staff at the R Premadasa Stadium adopted a unique strategy to expedite the drying process of the outfield. They ingeniously constructed a makeshift triple-fan system, cleverly affixed to a vehicle, to aid in rapidly drying the field.
Veteran cricketer, Ashwin was visibly impressed by their innovative and tireless efforts and openly praised their invaluable contributions. He expressed his admiration on his social media platform on X (formerly known as Twitter), commending their dedication by stating, “Innovation, ground staff doing a most thankless job.”
Innovation 🤝🤝#PakvsInd #AsiaCup2023
Ground staff doing the most thankless job. pic.twitter.com/gAhu4WwJGI
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 10, 2023
The final verdict
Despite the commendable and unrelenting efforts of the ground staff, the fixture remained stalled due to the continuous rainfall. Consequently, the contest shifted to a reserve day on Monday (September 11), with India set to resume their innings from the point where it came to a halt on the initial day of play.
