What Is The Final Cut-Off Time For The IND Vs AFG 1st ODI To Be Abandoned?

Final cut-off time revealed for IND Vs AFG 1st ODI [Source: AFP]

ODI cricket was returning to India after a six-month cooling-off period, and the Indian fans were excited to witness their star players in the Blue Jersey after a long-period of time. However, that excitement soon vanished as the rain god decided to ruin the fun, with the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI toss being delayed.

Accuweather predicted rain to arrive during the match time in Dharamsala, and it had been raining heavily since Friday evening. The worst news arrived during the IND Vs AFG 1st ODI as persistent rain led to a toss delay, and the weather forecast for the remainder of the day doesn’t look too promising as well.

Dharamsala weather report for IND Vs AFG 1st ODI

It rained the entire night on the eve of the series opener, and things don’t look promising for the rest of the day. According to Accuweather, a three-hour rain is predicted for the next three hours, and in the evening, there is a 58 percent chance of rain.

The covers were in place before the start of the play, and the weather is unlikely to improve as the fans, who have turned up to witness their heroes, could go back disappointed.

While the stadium has a brilliant drainage system, for that to work, the rain needs to stop, and that looks highly unlikely at the moment.

The rain will intensify from 2 PM to 3 PM, and the intensity is likely to increase as time progresses, making the start of play difficult.

What is the final cut-off time for the IND Vs AFG 1st ODI to be abandoned?

We have already started to lose overs since 2 PM IST, and one thing is clear: even if the rain stops, the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI will be a shortened game. Chances are that the match could be abandoned, but it all depends on when the rain stops and whether the ground staff will get enough time to clear the water.

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Moreover, the final cut-off time for the India vs Afghanistan game to be abandoned is 6:32 PM IST, and if the match doesn’t start by then, we’ll have the contest called off.

Latest weather update for IND Vs AFG Dharamsala ODI

As stated, rain intensified in Dharamsala, and players from both teams are in their respective dugouts as frustration has risen. The covers are fully on, with the entire square region covered as the Super Soppers have been put to rest for now.

The next hour is crucial for the start of the play. There are whispers that we might not even get a 20-overs contest, and if the rain continues to pour down, more overs will be lost, and the India vs Afghanistan contest will enter the abandonment territory.

The importance of India vs Afghanistan ODI series

On paper, the India vs Afghanistan series looks like a David vs Goliath battle, but in reality, the tour holds utmost importance in the context of the World Cup 2027.

The next 50-overs World Cup will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, and the ODIs leading up to the marquee event will be crucial for Team India to get their possible combination ready. Moreover, the Afghanistan ODIs provided India a chance to test their bench strength, but that could be ruined if the Dharamsala ODI gets washed out.

Each ODI match is of utmost importance leading up to the World Cup, and the Afghanistan ODI matches were crucial for the Indian players to get back into the ODI groove after a gruelling IPL season.

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