Drainage problem could hit contest

Delhi’s last encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla ended with a dust storm providing the backdrop.

Delhi’s last encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla ended with a dust storm providing the backdrop. They had failed to beat Mohali, and the Duckworth-Lewis rain rules, after persistent showers had reduced parts of the outfield into a mini swimming pool and the match to 11 overs a side.

The picture on the Wednesday, the eve of Delhi’s must-win game against Kolkata Knight Riders, was equally gloomy.

The groundsmen were busy using the Super-Sopper to clear the ground-water after a spell of

rain in the morning, but the drainage facilities remain a major cause of concern. If sources at the Delhi and District Cricket Assocation (DDCA) are to be believed, the drainage system at the new and improved Kotla isn’t up to the mark, with at least one pipe blocked due to mud accumulated during the time of construction.

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Pitch curator Radhey Shyam Gupta, who was seen instructing his groundsmen to use the Super-Sopper to get the playing area dry at the earliest, agreed there were problems. “There are still many loopholes in the drainage system but we have made alternate arrangements for the water to go through. The pipe is too small and it takes some time before the water gets cleared from the drainage gutters,” Radhey Shyam said.

He added though, that play would not be affected too much as long as it didn’t rain again. “When I was preparing the ground, I used soil under the ground which soaks in excess water. As long as it doesn’t rain again, the match will be on. All we need is sunshine so that there is no moisture in the pitch. But if it does rain, I think it will be difficult to go ahead with the match.”