After the first T20I between South Africa and India was abandoned without a ball being bowled on December 10, the action now shifts to the match to Gqeberha in Eastern Cape as the second match of the series will get underway on December 12.
Both teams don’t have many matches left from now until the T20 World Cup 2024 in June. India will have the remaining two matches against the Proteas and then a home T20I series against Afghanistan in January next year.
With that in mind, the fans and players will be eagerly looking at the weather report for the second match on Tuesday. And the signs right now aren’t promising.
The weather forecast for the match day, December 12th, is a cause for concern with varying reports of rain probability. While one source indicates a 45% chance of precipitation, another suggests a higher likelihood at 60%. This inconsistency in predictions hints at an unpredictable day where rain could play spoilsport.
Accuweather is predicting rain at 4 PM local time in Gqeberha, which means that the toss could be delayed. It is also expected to remain cloudy for the rest of the course of the game.
Weather.com is also predicted a few showers at 4 PM local time followed by cloudy conditions for the rest of the day.
The first T20I already fell victim to the weather, leaving fans and players disappointed. With the second match threatened by similar conditions, there’s a palpable tension about the possibility of another washout. The temperature is expected to hover around 21 degrees Celsius, offering some comfort amidst the uncertainty.
The pitch at St. George’s Park is anticipated to favor batsmen, potentially leading to high scores if the rain holds off. Spinners might also find some assistance as the match progresses. However, the weather will be the ultimate decider in whether the game goes ahead or not, and both teams, along with their supporters, will be hoping for clear skies come Tuesday.
