India vs England 1st T20I Stopped Due To Rain; Durham Weather Update

Rain in IND vs ENG 1st T20I at Durham. [Source- AFP]

Team India ended the innings at Chester-le-Street on a high of 189/7, thanks to Abhishek Sharma, Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dube. However, as soon as the first innings came to an end, the ground staff were seen rushing to the field as drizzle started pouring down hard. 

The rain gods were harsh throughout the innings and during the build-up to the IND vs ENG 1st T20I as well. As a result, the main pitch and the bowlers' run-up area have been covered, resulting in a match delay in Durham. 

Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube help India reach 189/7

Nevertheless, Abhishek Sharma laid the platform in the Indian innings, scoring a gung-ho 59, where he smashed a world record. Meanwhile, captain Shreyas Iyer scored his first fifty as T20I captain, while Shivam Dube gave a finishing touch. 

However, it was a flowery and sunny innings for India, as they lost two wickets inside the powerplay. Both Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan were dismissed cheaply twice in the last three outings, making a stronger case for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s India debut. But about that later.

Also Read: Abhishek Sharma Shouts At Ishan Kishan After Terrible Mix-Up vs England

Abhishek Sharma took the responsibility on as kept the scoreboard rushing as he took on the English seamers with ease, before returning after a 24-ball 59. Later, India were in a muddle despite Iyer scoring a fine 68, but Shivam Dube’s unbeaten 42 off 21 helped the T20 World Champions finish on 189/7. 

For England, Saqib Mahmood had the best time, bagging 3 for 33. Whereas Adil Rashid and Sam Curran scalped a wicket each.

Weather not looking promising in Durham

As reported earlier, the weather at Durham wasn’t too great throughout the day, with rain pouring down from early hours. The rain is expected to continue till 1 AM in India. 

It is worth noting that the weather is not getting any better, with the covers being brought on the whole field.

Notably, the overs have already started to get reduced (as of 7:53 PM Local Time, 12:23 AM IST). 

The cut-off time for a five-over chase was 9 PM Local Time (1:30 AM IST), with England's target being 64 runs. Unfortunately, the match was called off due to rain. 

One for the history books

The day was full of records for the T20 World Champions. As they are playing their first T20I fixture at the venue, India scored the second-highest total at Chester-le-Street. 

Moreover, Abhishek completed 100 sixes for India in the shortest format, breaking the previous records held by Evin Lewis and Suryakumar Yadav. 

Additionally, skipper Shreyas Iyer completed 5000 runs in international cricket during his 68-run knock. As he scored his first half-century as India captain, he became the first Indian skipper to notch in the shortest format.

Also Read: Sanju Samson Hangs Head In Shame After England Star Pulls Off A Heroic Catch