Kanpur: Play was called off for the second consecutive day in the ongoing second Test between India and Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium due to wet patches on the outfield, significantly reducing the likelihood of a result with two days remaining in the match.
After a delayed start on the first day, Bangladesh ended up at 107/3 as only 35 overs could be bowled due to persistent rain. Overnight rain further hampered the second day’s play on Saturday, which was entirely washed out without a single delivery bowled.
On Sunday, despite no rain and clear skies, the umpires—Chris Brown and Richard Kettleborough—had to call off play again after three inspections, finding the ground unfit for play, particularly around the bowler’s run-up. Frustrated fans, over 15,000 in number, waited under bright sunshine but were left disappointed when play was abandoned by 2 PM.
Many spectators attributed the delay to Green Park’s aging infrastructure, pointing out its substandard drainage system as the main reason for the extended delay. “The stadium is old, and even basic amenities for fans are lacking. The drainage system is almost non-functional,” one fan remarked.
The game is heading toward a draw, with two days of play lost. In contrast, the previous Test in Chennai saw India triumph by 280 runs without such disruptions. Bangladesh players, meanwhile, have been largely confined to their hotel rooms due to security concerns, with the team’s movement restricted due to the tense political situation in Bangladesh.
“We were allowed more freedom during the Chennai Test, but here we’ve been mostly confined to our rooms. It’s a bit tough for the players,” a Bangladesh Cricket Board official mentioned on condition of anonymity.
With just two days remaining and play already significantly disrupted, the prospect of a result seems increasingly unlikely unless both teams can make quick progress once play resumes.
