Match officials on the ground after the Indian Premier League T20 cricket match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders was abandoned due to rain without a ball bowled in Guwahati on May 19, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Rain brought down the curtains on the league stage of the Indian Premier League when the game between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders at the ACA Stadium here was abandoned on Sunday without a ball bowled.

Although there were hopes of having a seven-over game after the rains relented at 10.02 p.m. and Shreyas Iyer opted to bowl at the toss — delayed by three hours — another wet spell forced the umpires’ hands to call it a day.

Although KKR wouldn’t be too bothered, the washout will crush the spirits of RR, which has been on a wretched four-match losing streak, further. Sanju Samson’s men, who once looked set to finish the Group Stage at pole position, will now meet Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator on Wednesday. KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad, meanwhile, will have two shots at making the final.

The first signs of trouble appeared when heavy showers lashed the city in the early hours of the day.

At around a quarter past 6 p.m. the broadcast crew started covering their cameras near the sight-screen. Under a minute later, a tarp sheet and two huge umbrellas were kept right beside the pitch.

Before half-an-hour had passed, it had started to drizzle. The groundsmen were quick to spring into action and before it could translate into a heavy downpour the entire playing area was covered.

There was shortlived relief at 8.08 p.m. when they started peeling off the square covers and the super soppers were brought on.

However, the rain returned, heavier than ever, at 8.50 p.m. The groundsmen scurried across the green in desperate attempts to protect the outfield, but in a while it seemed they too had given up. With an under-par drainage, they had deemed it was ‘game over’ way before the official announcement.

Former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond has ended his nine-year association as Mumbai Indians bowling coach, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise announced on October 18.
| Photo Credit: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond has ended his nine-year association as Mumbai Indians bowling coach, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise announced on October 18.

Bond, who has been associated with MI since 2015, won four IPL trophies as the bowling coach of the team.

Bond made the decision to part ways with MI after the five-time IPL champions appointed Lasith Malinga as their bowling coach for season 2024.

Malinga, who retired in 2021 and had played for MI, worked with the Rajasthan Royals until this year.

The 48-year-old Kiwi also quit as MI Emirates head coach. He was at the helm of affairs of MI Emirates team in the inaugural season of ILT20 this year.

“I would like to thank the Ambani family for the opportunity to be part of MI One Family for the last nine seasons. It has been an incredible experience with so many great memories on and off the field,” Bond said in a statement issued by the franchise.

“I have been lucky enough to work with and have strong relationships with so many great people, both players and staff. I will miss them all and wish them all the best for the future. Finally thanks to the MI Paltan for their support as well.” Bond was part of MI’s IPL triumphs in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020 and played a key role in grooming young bowlers at MI.

India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has credited Bond for shaping his skills in the early stages of his career.