India-Afghanistan ODI in Dharamshala Delayed by Persistent Rain
Persistent rain continued to play spoilsport at the picturesque HPCA Cricket Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday, delaying the start of the One-Day International between India and Afghanistan by more than two-and-a-half hours beyond the scheduled 1:30 PM start.
Arvind Sharma
Jun 13, 2026 06:45
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Dharamsala, June 13, 2026: Persistent rain continued to play spoilsport at the picturesque HPCA Cricket Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday, delaying the start of the One-Day International between India and Afghanistan by more than two-and-a-half hours beyond the scheduled 1:30 PM start.
Continuous rainfall since morning has cast serious uncertainty over the match. While the pitch remains protected under tarpaulin covers, the outfield has become considerably wet, making it difficult for officials to begin play.
The adverse weather conditions have also affected spectator turnout, with the stadium stands remaining largely vacant. However, the enthusiasm of cricket fans who have already entered the venue remains undiminished. Equipped with umbrellas and raincoats, many spectators continue to wait patiently in the hope of witnessing some cricket action.
The stadium gates were opened to the public at around 11:00 AM, and fans began arriving well before the scheduled start. As rain intensified, the flow of spectators slowed considerably, leaving only a limited number of supporters inside the ground.
Visitors from different parts of the country appeared to be enjoying Dharamshala's cool and misty weather despite the delay. Fresh snowfall in the Dhauladhar ranges started during the previous night added to the scenic beauty of the venue and brought a noticeable drop in temperature across the region.
Match officials are closely monitoring the weather, with spectators and players alike hoping for an improvement in conditions that would allow play to commence later in the day.
