KHURRAM HABIB

Following three days of bright sunshine and sweltering heat, it rained on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, leaving Friday’s third ODI between India and West Indies to the mercy of the weather.

India lead the series 1-0 with three games to go. Thankfully, unlike the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, this ground has good drainage facilities, easily among the best in the world. If the curator is to be believed, it’ll take only half an hour to drain the water left by two-inch rain.

The Indians trained on Wednesday with the top three getting a long stint at the nets, interestingly with not a soul to watch them. However, Thursday’s practice had to be called off.

Despite losing so much time, the Indians are not complaining with skipper Virat Kohli terming it good for team bonding.

This tour has been a getaway, if anything, he said on Thursday. More than sorting out deficiencies in skill and team composition, it is proving to be a team bonding exercise. The Indian team visited Jolly Beach and played volleyball, ate there with no one around as Antigua has no Indian population or tourists.

Earlier, the rain and sparse crowd in Trinidad also allowed them plenty of time off to relax.

“We’ve had enough of practice. Am really not too bothered (about rains washing away practice sessions), because it is a good opportunity to have a day off and do something together as a team and enjoy whatever we have on hand,” said Virat Kohli.

“You can walk around, it is pretty peaceful. From that point of view it is quite relaxing for everyone just to be close to nature.”

The India skipper feels these are rare opportunities. “It is important to grab these opportunities and stick together.

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