Vadodara experiences light drizzle ahead of 4th ODI

Vadodara, Jan 29 (UNI) Unseasonal rains threatened to play spoilsport in the fourth and final one-day international between India and West Indies with the city experiencing drizzle for hours today.

According to the state Meteorological department, there are chances of isolated light rainfall in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan in the next 24 hours following a western disturbance. The sky would also remain cloudy during the period, according to the forecast.

Though the sky was covered with thick clouds since this morning, slight drizzle was experienced for more than four hours this afternoon.

Despite bad weather and poor light, Team India skipper Rahul Dravid, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Robin Uthappa and members of the West Indies team minus skipper Brian Lara, who had arrived here last evening, had an exhaustive 3-hour practice session at the IPCL ground.

Local cricket officials, who have kept their fingers crossed following the sudden change in weather, said almost all the 12,500 tickets issued for the 22,000 capacity IPCL stadium had been sold out. The association had, however, taken an insurance cover of Rs.7.82 crore for the match.

Ground curator Vasu Patel said the entire pitch at the IPCL had been covered and about 30 boys had been engaged in the ground work along with one Super Sucker to keep the outfield fit for play.

UNI