First day of practice match ruined due to rain, 50 overs per side match will be played on Sunday

The opening day of India's two-day tour match against Prime Minister's XI was washed out due to rain at Manuka Oval here on Saturday. With only one day of play available, it will be a 50-over contest on Sunday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development on its official 'X' account.

“Update: Prime Minister's XI vs India – Manuka Oval. Day 1's play has been canceled and will restart tomorrow (Sunday) at 9:10 AM IST. Coin toss will take place at 8:40 AM IST. Teams 50 overs Per side has agreed to play,” the BCCI wrote. The first day of the pink-ball tour match was abandoned due to persistent rain ahead of the second Test between India and Australia on December 6. The game was cancelled.

Incessant drizzle from around 10 am to 5:30 pm (local time) left little hope for the game as the covers remained firmly in place. The Indian team visited the ground briefly but given the circumstances they had no reason to stay. At the end of the day, with a brief respite from the rain, activities resumed with the covers removed and the umpires briefing the team support staff.

However, the ground staff eventually restored the covers and left at 6:30 pm, indicating no further action. Heavy rain began again at 7 pm, officially ruling out any possibility of play. Before the much-awaited pink ball clash, the Indian team has one last chance on Sunday to acclimatise to the match conditions for the day-night Test.

Rohit Sharma's availability for the second Test has been a big boost for India, while Australia will be without fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who played a key role in India's infamous 36 all-out in Adelaide in 2020.