Cyclone Arnab washed out day three of the Ranji Trophy match between Andhra and Chhattisgarh at the DVR Ground on Wednesday. Persistent rain forced officials to call stumps early. Players stayed inside as the weather worsened. Both teams now hope for better conditions on the final day to secure points.
Persistent rain overnight following Cyclone Arnab's landfall brought an end to day three of the Ranji Trophy Group 'B' clash between Andhra and Chhattisgarh without any play here at the DVR Ground on Wednesday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) classified the cyclone as a 'very severe cyclonic storm' (VSCS), warning of widespread rainfall and strong winds across parts of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
There was no movement from either the officials or the ground staff on the fully covered ground, while the players remained confined to the dressing room before the umpires called Stumps at 12:40 PM local time.
While Andhra's squad arrived at the ground as per the scheduled start time of 9:30 AM, the Chhattisgarh contingent stayed back at its hotel, nearly 30 km away from the venue, with the overnight downpour making a washout almost certain.
Both sides will hope conditions improve on the final day, with three points still in sight. Chhattisgarh is 15 runs behind Andhra's first-innings total of 231 but has lost eight wickets.
For visiting Chhattisgarh, No. 4 batter Amandeep Khare remains at the crease, unbeaten on 74.
Chhattisgarh is currently seventh in the group with just one point, while Andhra is fifth with three points after two rounds.