KCA prays to God to avoid a washout in the final T20I

The final T20I between India and New Zealand is under the threat of a washout. The Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is set to host its maiden T20I match but heavy showers over the past three days have forced the groundsmen to cover the ground and the cricketers have been restricted to practice indoors. The city last hosted an international match in the year 1988 between India and West Indies.

The series has gone into a decider after India won the 1st game at Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla stadium by 53 runs after which the visitors made a comeback and sealed the 2nd T20I at Rajkot by 40 runs. The previous series against Australia witnessed a washout in the final T20I after Hyderabad failed to counter the showers. The T20I series, therefore, ended in a level margin 1-1.

“We have no control over the weather. But we are doing everything possible in our control to get the ground ready for the match. Someone suggested that if a lotus offering is made at Koodalmanikyam temple, then it brings respite from rain. So through one of our selectors we have made the thamara mala offering in Koodalmanikyam on Tuesday. We hope the lord almighty will answer our prayers,” said Jayesh George, KCA secretary.

The belief is that if a thamara mala is offered at Koodalmanikyam before an auspicious event, it will provide temporary relief until the event is over. The thamara mala is offered in Koodalmanikyam by followers before marriages and other traditional functions in a family.

Kohli and his men will look to clinch the trophy after a dismal show in the last game where the batters failed to deliver while on the other hand, New Zealand will look to end the tour in a positive note after coming close to winning the ODI series.