The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo is set to be a thrilling encounter, but the weather might have other plans. With a low-pressure system developing in the Bay of Bengal, the Sri Lanka Department of Meteorology has issued a warning, predicting a high risk of rain that could disrupt the marquee game on Sunday evening.
The forecast for Sunday in the Khettarama area of Colombo, where the R Premadasa Stadium is located, indicates warm and humid conditions with temperatures reaching around 30° to 31°C. However, scattered thunderstorms are expected throughout the afternoon, with a 50-70% chance of rain. This could lead to a delayed toss or a shortened game, as some models suggest heavy thundershowers in the hours before the scheduled start at 7 pm local time.
Despite the potential rain, the Premadasa Stadium has a sophisticated drainage system and specialized ground staff protocols to handle Colombo's tropical downpours. Unlike many international venues that only cover the pitch, the Premadasa has enough covers to protect the entire playing area, preventing the outfield from soaking up water. The staff manually pushes water from one cover to the next until it reaches the perimeter drains, often faster and more effectively than using mechanical super soppers. Under standard conditions, the ground typically becomes fit for play within 45 to 60 minutes after heavy rain stops.
There's also a chance of rain on Saturday, which could impact India's scheduled training session at the ground. The weather in Colombo has been largely dry, making any rain unseasonal for this time of the year. So far, none of the matches in Sri Lanka of this T20 World Cup has been impacted by inclement weather, even though there have been a few close calls, such as Sri Lanka's match against Oman, where rain fell hours after the match ended.
Both India and Pakistan currently have four points each after playing two games, but India is ahead in Group A due to a superior net run rate. If rain in Colombo forces a washout, both sides will get one point each, as there is no reserve day for group-stage matches.
