Windies vs India: Umpires shoo away groundsmen before calling them back due to rain

There were forecasts of rain throughout the first day of the opening Test between Windies and India at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua. It rained before the match and the heavens opened up during the game as well. Even as the rain was playing hide and seek, there was a funny incident that took place between umpire Richard Kettleborough and the ground-staff.

It was in the 69th over of the day’s play that it started raining. A massive cloud, hanging in the sky, started pouring heavily. The rain got heavier, but Kettleborough couldn’t quite decide on whether to carry on with the match or not. Meanwhile, the groundsmen started entering the field with covers.

Seeing them rushing in, Kettleborough asked them to go away. But he was still confused about continuing with the game as the rain got heavier. Soon after he called for the covers. It also marked the end of play on Day one. At that point in time, the visitors’ score was 203 for six in 68.5 overs.

Ajinkya Rahane rescues India

Due to rain prior to the game, moisture accumulated on the pitch and the Windies didn’t have any hesitation to bowl first. Kemar Roach and Shannon Gabriel started proceedings and wreaked havoc in the Indian top order. The former struck first blood, getting rid of opener Mayank Agarwal. In the same over, the speedster accounted for the prized scalp of Cheteshwar Pujara.

Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper, couldn’t survive the heat. He got a couple of boundaries under his belt, but couldn’t handle a short delivery from Gabriel. In 7.5 overs, India were reduced to 25 for three. Thereafter, KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane put their heads down and added 68 for the fourth wicket. It was off-spinner Roston Chase, who nipped out Rahul for 44 to break the stand.

Rahane went on to score 81 runs off 163 balls, before chopping one on to the stumps off Gabriel. Hanuma Vihari scored 32 after which he fell prey to Roach. The left-handed pair of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja are in the middle. Pant has already got going, having scored 20 with four boundaries.