Royal Challengers v Super Kings, IPL 2012, Bangalore

Washout puts Bangalore, Chennai in top four

Cricket +

Match abandoned Royal Challengers Bangalore v Chennai Super Kings

	Fans waited for the rain to stop. It did not. © AFP  Enlarge

Quintessential Bangalore rain - rarely heavy but frustratingly incessant - did not allow the game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings to start after the toss had taken place at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The teams shared a point each, which moved Super Kings from fifth to third, and Royal Challengers from seventh to fourth in the league.

The toss was delayed by the drizzle for a little more than an hour, and when it finally took place, it was Virat Kohli and not Daniel Vettori who came out as captain of the home side. Kohli said Vettori had a niggle, and he decided to bowl after MS Dhoni called incorrectly.

Royal Challengers had replaced Vettori with Australian allrounder Andrew McDonald, who was almost a like for like substitution. It was the only change to the XI that beat Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.

Super Kings had made two changes, leaving out Doug Bollinger and Shadab Jakati and bringing in Albie Morkel, who returned from South Africa, and Yo Mahesh.

Shortly before the game was due to begin, though, it began to rain again. Through the evening its intensity lessened at times, giving the spectators hope, before it picked up again. The match was eventually abandoned at 11 pm local time. It was still raining. The cut-off for a five-over match was 11.20 pm.

It was the second washout of IPL 2012, after the game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers had met a similar fate at Eden Gardens last night.