The first One Day International between India and West Indies in Guyana in 30 years was abandoned due to consistent showers at the National Stadium, Providence yesterday.
Thousands of fans gathered at the venue and braved the rains that forced the start of the match at 11:30 hours, some two hours after the designated start time. When the skies cleared, India won the toss and sent the hosts in to bat with the contest reduced to 43 overs per side.
West Indies were tentative against the Indian opening seamers, Bhuveshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, comfortable to leave non-threatening balls alone before the rain interrupted at 9-0 with 5.4 overs bowled.
However, Indian captain, Virat Kohli and his troops made use of the delay to entertain the crowd with their dance skills.
A further 85 minutes were lost due to the rain but play could have resumed earlier had it not been for a water-soaked run up mark that forced the ground staff to sprinkle wood shavings in an effort to quickly restart the match.
When the match resumed, play was further cut down to 34 overs. Chris Gayle, in search of 12 runs to eclipse Brian Lara as the leading run-getter in ODIs for the West Indies, suffered an inside edge that rocketed into his leg stump to send him on his way for four runs from 31 balls.
Gayle, in his 299th ODI, shared in a 42-run opening stand with Evin Lewis who shifted gears to race to 40 from 36 balls inclusive of three sixes and two fours. Lewis was particularly brutal to Khaleel Ahmed who was smashed for 15 runs in one over.
Shai Hope was the next batsman, unbeaten on six before the match was called off at 15:12 hours with the score 54-1 after 13 overs.
At the post-match press conference, Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick expressed his belief that West Indies can still win the series as they head to Trinidad and Tobago for the final two matches. He said that the players are hungry for the win.
On Lewis, Estwick said that it was pleasing to see him find some momentum before heading to his home.
