Cyclone Maha may hit second T20I, Saurashtra Cricket keeps tab

The series-opener Twenty20 International between India and Bangladesh was played in the smog-hit Delhi and now there is a cyclonic threat to the second game in Rajkot on Thursday (November 7).

According to the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) latest forecast, cyclone Maha is expected to make landfall on the Gujarat coast on the day of the match, which will bring heavy rains in the state.

Maha will cross Gujarat as a ‘cyclonic storm’ between Porbandar and Diu during the early hours of Thursday. The match is scheduled to commence at 7 pm at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on the outskirts of the city.

As of now, Maha is an ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’ over the Arabian sea and situated around 660 kilometres away from Porbandar. It is predicted that it would weaken into a cyclonic storm before hitting the Gujarat coast.

Also read: Bangladesh defeat India by 7 wickets in maiden T20 win

The IMD, in a release, stated that light to moderate rain or thundershowers would occur “at most places in all districts of Gujarat”, including Rajkot, on November 6 and 7.

The Saurashtra Cricket Association is keeping a tab on the weather forecasts. “We are fully prepared to host the game but at the same time, we are keeping a close tab on the weather. It is expected that it may rain in the morning on the 7th but the game is in the evening,” a senior Saurashtra Cricket Association official told PTI from Rajkot.

There was sunshine on Tuesday morning in the city. The two teams had reached the venue on Monday.

The first T20 international was played despite smog and air pollution in the national capital, prompting BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to thank both the teams.

Bangladesh, who beat India by seven wickets, lead the three-match series 1-0 and the final match of the series will be played in Nagpur on Sunday, November 10.

(With inputs from agencies)