1st T20I: Match between India-SL called off due to damp pitch (2nd Lead)

Guwahati, Jan 5 (IANS) Damp patches on the 22-yard strip at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium here after a heavy spell of shower saw India's opening T20 international against Sri Lanka get called off without a ball being bowled here on Sunday.India's first game of the new year turned out to be a dampner after skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to field first in Shikhar Dhawan and Jasprit Bumrah's comeback series after injuries.It started raining heavily just before the 7 p.m. start and although the downpur passed away, the pitch had damp patches which did not allow play to start as umpires had two inspections. Kohli also had a look at the wicket and seemed not too pleased.With K.L. Rahul in great form and Rohit Sharma rested, it was a chance for Dhawan to get back among runs and stay in the conversation for a berth in the T20 World Cup squad. The left-hander, who has not been in form lately, especially in T20Is where he scored just 272 runs in 12 innings at a below-par strike-rate of 110.56, will now look to make the most of the remaining two T20Is before India go to New Zealand for more games in the shortest version.It was also a chance to see Bumrah in action after his four-month break due to a stress fracture.
--IANS dm/vd