JOIN USDiamonds were 45 for three in nine overs after electing to bat first when the rains came down in one fell swoop, inundating the ground ankle-high. The cut-off time to resume a five-over match was 9.50 pm, but such was the state of the ground that on-field umpires M Srinivasmurthy and P Jayapal decided to call off proceedings at 8.15 pm.
The abandoned match meant last year’s semifinalists Brigadiers, who collected their first point in four matches as a result of wash-out, now not only need to win all their remaining three matches, but also hope the outcome of other matches over the next three days are favourable to them. On the other hand, Diamonds lead the table with seven points after five matches and just need another point from their remaining two matches to ensure their place in the semifinals.
This is a great turnaround in the fortunes of both teams. While Brigadiers were one of the title contenders in the inaugural year until they crashed out in the semis, Diamonds had finished just one place ahead of bottom-huggers Malnad Gladiators.
Brigadiers had every reason to feel short-changed by the vagaries of the weather. After dismissing previous match centurion Mayank Agarwal (19, 18b, 2x4, 1x6) fairly cheaply, Deepak Chougule’s side was seemingly in control of things when the rains decided to spoil their party.