 "Day 1 of the first Test between India ad New Zealand in Bengaluru was washed out due to rain. AP")
The opening day of the first Test between India and New Zealand at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium was washed out due to rain on Wednesday. Even the toss failed to take place in the ‘Garden City’, as the pitch was covered for a major part of the day. The first session was washed out, and while there was some hope of resumption of play once it stopped raining 2.10 pm IST, it started raining once again 20 minutes later and play was eventually called off.
IND vs NZ | Will rain affect Day 2 of first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru?
More showers have been forecast for Thursday in Bengaluru, but fans would be hoping for lesser rain on Day 2. Lesser amount of rain would not only hopefully mean some cricketing action but also swift action in terms of clearing the wet outfield.
How is this possible?
What is the SubAir drainage system?
The SubAir drainage system is a state-of-the-art system that has been implemented at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in a bid to clear puddles of water in the outfield in quick time. This system has been used in football grounds, golf courses and rugby stadiums in some parts of the world.
How does the system work?
The technology uses a connection of perforated tubes, drains and pipes that are installed below the outfield surface in the structure of a closed loop which is connected to the SubAir system. During the rainy season, the water in the outfield is shifted to a nearby tank or drain. During summer, the moisture in the air is measured with the use of wireless sensors which are embedded into the SubAir system.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe system also measures the amount of salinity in the oil, as well as grassroots temperature, and helps pump in cool air or water as per the requirements.
“The pumps can suck rainwater out of the outfield at 36 times the speed of gravity,” Brijesh Patel, then-secretary of Karnataka State Cricket Association, had told Firstpost in 2016 . “We can pump in air or oxygen for aeration of the roots through the system, and thus ensure that the grass stays healthy and well tended to. Of course, there is an inbuilt sprinkler system for watering,” he added.
“We have no control over rain. But as soon as rain stops, we must be in a position to start play within a reasonable amount of time. This was our mission when we set out to identify world-class drainage and turf protection system,” he had explained back then.