That brings us to the end of our coverage of the five-match series between India and South Africa, and in a way, it is kind of fitting that the two teams walk away joint-winners after winning two games each, both teams showing grit and the ability to fight back at different stages. For South Africa, the series will have brought Heinrich Klaasen back into the maintstream and in the fray for the World Cup squad while for India, Dinesh Karthik returning to form in his first international assignment in three years surely is the biggest talking point.
We hope you enjoyed our coverage. This is Amit signing off and bidding you all good night!
MATCH CALLED OFF!
It’s official now — rain has forced the fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru to be called off after just 21 balls, and the series trophy is shared between the two sides as a result!
India are yet to beat South Africa this year, after having lost the Test and ODI series in South Africa earlier this year!
Commentator Pommie Mbangwa has a quick chat with the umpires Anil Chaudhary and KN Ananthapadmanabhan on the current situation in Bengaluru:
AC: “We should be able to start by two past time. We should be able to maximise play. We’re in touch (with the ground staff), and considering all the guidelines, we should be able to start a five-overs-per-side game”
KNA: “We have to wait till it stops. We can’t start with the drizzle. 25 to 30 minutes is the time required for the mopping up operations.”
UPDATE: As rain continues to play spoilsport in the highly-anticipated series decider at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the match officials have decided to mark 10.02 pm IST as the cut-off time for a five-over-a-side contest. Anything beyond that, and the two captains will end up sharing the trophy.
Nature can be a real jester at times
Strange are the ways of nature.. I am at best 2km away from the #chinnaswamystadium and it is bone dry..#IndvSA
Why not…
Maybe bring back the glorious Bowl Out at Chinnaswamy to decide the series?
Or Lungi vs Pant 800 metres race, like Mark Richardson vs Lehmann?
UPDATE: Still raining at Bengaluru at the moment, and it will take a fair bit of time for the groundstaff to mop up all the water in the outfield once it subsides. Don’t think the Indian batters will have too many overs to add to their score if play does start later today.
We’re fast approaching the cut-off time
Five over game needs to start around 9.45ish IST usually. Give or take 10min. We are losing more overs for sure. #IndvSA
Certainly doesn’t look good at the moment
Match ain’t starting any time soon and expect for a much curtailed game. It’s a heavy drizzle getting heavier by the minute#INDvSA
Just Wasim Jaffer things
Cricket fans in Bangalore right now #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/OkOFFCXAIm