Decider ends in a damp squib

Hyderabad: The three-match Twenty20 series between India and Australia ended in a damp squib with wet conditions rendering the ground at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium unfit for play.

Overnight and early evening showers meant patches in the outfield remained damp and sticky despite the best efforts of the ground staff to get it back in shape.

After three inspections — at 7 pm, 7.45 pm and 8.15 pm — the umpires decided to call off play much to the disappointment of the 29,851 spectators present at the venue.

That meant the T20 series ended 1-1 and gave the visitors, who had lost the One-Day International series 1-4, something to take back home. They are scheduled to fly out of India in the wee hours of Saturday.

Officials of the Hyderabad Cricket Association have decided to refund the tickets, the date for which will be announced soon.

Despite bad weather in the city, hordes of fans turned up.

They cheered every kick of Mahendra Singh Dhoni who was seen playing football as the Indian team warmed up for the match.

India skipper Virat Kohli and Kedar Jadhav too entertained the Hyderabad crowd by smashing balls right over the boundary line while honing their batting skills in an unusual left-hand stance.

Also seen at the ground was the popular Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who was especially invited by Kohli.