The threat of cyclone Kyant looms large over the series decider of the ongoing five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand which is scheduled to be played in Vizag on Saturday (October 29).
According to reports, the cyclone is headed towards Andhra Pradesh and might cause heavy downpour in the coastal areas of the state. Met officials said Cyclone Kyant lay 550 km east-southeast of Vizag; it would take another 24 hours to assess its landfall. Cyclone Kyant may trigger rain along with high-velocity gusts in Vizag its surroundings on Friday and Saturday.
As quoted in the Deccan Chronicle, a local said:“As per the status of Cyclone Kyant and predictions of the IMD, we are hopeful that the skies would not open up on Saturday and the match will go on smoothly.”
Meanwhile, said Andhra Cricket Association general secretary and BCCI vice-president Gokaraju Gangaraju assured that the stadium has the required equipment to stage the match as scheduled.
“There won’t be any problem. Our groundsmen can clear the rain water from the stadium in just two to three hours with super-soppers and the advanced drainage system,” he said.
Well, both the teams will feel good with the assurance but the track-record of the stadium is not very promising. A member of the state cricket association said that two international matches have already been abandoned in the last four years due to the weather. However, he said that ODI between India and West Indies in 2013 went ahead as scheduled after heavy downpour had lashed the city due to Cyclone Helen. He said that the rain had stopped just a few hours before the match, he said.
“So far, a T-20 match between India and New Zealand in the stadium, scheduled for September 8, 2012, was called off without a ball being bowled following heavy rain and the ODI between India and West Indies scheduled to be played in Vizag stadium on October 14, 2014, was cancelled as Cyclone Hudhud hit Vizag city on October 12 and damaged the stadium too,” he said.
The five-match series is currently locked at 2-2 after the visitors defeated the hosts by 19 runs in the fourth ODI at Ranchi.