Field at the Providence Stadium being covered up because of the rains | AP
Rains forced abandonment of the first one-day international between the West Indies and India at the Guyana National Stadium on Thursday, after Chris Gayle was made to wait for the hosts' ODI run-scoring record. After waiting for five and a half hours, only 13 overs were bowled after India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and chose to field. West Indies made 54 runs before the rains drove them off the field.
The match had already started two hours late because of rains in the morning. Further rain interruptions ended any hopes of a result and any lingering prospect of play was washed away by the latest downpour in mid-afternoon.
Veteran opening batsman Gayle was the only wicket to fall. He was bowled out by left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for just four at the Providence stadium in Guyana.
Gayle, who has reversed a decision to retire from the 50 overs-per-side format of the game after the World Cup, occupied 31 deliveries before being dismissed.
This is his 299th ODI, equalling Lara's record for the most by a West Indian. And this gives him a chance to surpass Lara's run tally when the second match is played in Trinidad on Sunday.
Evin Lewis and Gayle seemed to have a decent partnership going on before they were forced to leave the field after 5.4 overs.
In contrast to Gayle's pedestrian innings, Evin Lewis was unbeaten on 40 off 36 deliveries (three sixes, two fours) in partnership with Shai Hope when the match was called off.
"It's probably the worst thing in cricket — the stop-start game," observed Kohli after the rain finally won the battle on the day.
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