Incessant rain in Durban prevented India's first T20 International against South Africa in their tour of the country to move forward. Seething over mismanagement by the local authorities during the downpour, Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar did not mince his words in his assessment
India cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar did not mince his words in his assessment of Cricket South Africa's handling of the rain-soaked first T20 International in Durban on Sunday, December 10. Scheduled to take place in the Kingsmead Stadium, the match suffered from a series of delays before being called off by the authorities ultimately, much to the chagrin of who had filed into the seats. (Cricket News)
Speaking to Star Sports, Gavaskar claimed that Cricket South Africa, like all other cricket boards, were getting paid enough to arrange for the necessary equipment to prevent the pitch from getting water-logged.
"If the ground remains uncovered and the rain stops, you know it doesn't start for another one hour. Suddenly it rains again. So there's no play whatsoever. Everybody (boards) is getting a lot of money. Let's make no mistake. All the cricket boards have got plenty of money. If they say they don't, they are lying. They might not have as much money as the BCCI. Fair enough. But every board has got money to buy these covers to cover the entire ground," Gavaskar lamented.
With the first match being abandoned without a ball bowled, India will now take on South Africa in the second of the three T20Is at St George's Park Cricket Ground in Gqeberha.