After extreme pollution levels in Delhi almost led to the first T20I between India and Bangladesh getting cancelled, the second T20I is in danger of being disrupted by severe cyclonic storm Maha.
India will face Bangladesh in the second T20I at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on November 7 (Thursday).
The weather forecast says that the cyclone could cause heavy to very heavy rains in Saurashtra and South Gujarat.
“Severe cyclonic storm Maha lay centred at 580 kilometres southwest of Diu and 550 kms southwest of Veraval. It is most likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and make landfall between Dwarka and Diu on Wednesday night or early Thursday morning with wind speeds of 120 kilometres per hour,” regional IMD director Jayanta Sarkar told PTI.
If the forecast is right, the second T20I may be abandoned due to heavy rains.
“The storm will cause heavy to very heavy rains in Saurashtra and south Gujarat on November 6-7. It is moving towards Oman but will recurve towards Gujarat coast on Monday,” Sarkar added.
Commentator Harsha Bhogle expressed concern after the weather forecast.
And now, with a game in Rajkot ahead, news of a cyclone on the West coast on Nov 06/07 with a danger alert issued to fishermen on the Saurashtra coast. Hope it isn't dangerous for the people living there. The weather has been most unpredictable this year.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 4, 2019Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also expressed concern, quoting Bhogle’s tweet. Earlier, Ashwin commented on Delhi’s air pollution levels before the first T20I.
Nature is showing its displeasure! https://t.co/9q4zoFiLcD
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) November 4, 2019On Sunday, Bangladesh won the first T20I by seven wickets, registering their first-ever win against India in T20I cricket. Mushfiqur Rahim played the role of finisher with his unbeaten 43-ball 60. It was Rahim’s second T20I fifty against India.