India seek 2-0 up at Eden Gardens against Australia, but prolonged

With India looking forward to make it 2-0 after romping home in the first ODI in Chennai through D/L method and Aussies baying for the hosts' blood to level the series in tomorrow's day-night match, the atmosphere in picturesque Eden Gardens is charged up even as prolonged monsoon rain may play spoilsport.

Steven Smith's brigade was utterly disappointed after rain forced the Chennai play to invoke the D/L method and India won by 26 runs despite the visitors held the host by the scruff of their neck.M S Dhoni (79) and Hardik Pandya (83) propelled India to 281/7 against Australia after initial hiccups.Due to rain, Australia’s innings was reduced to 21 overs and the target set at 164.

Australia could manage only 137/9 in 21 overs.
But the rain followed the cricketers from one coastline to another coastal area and heavy showers greeted them at Dum Dum airport on their arrival Monday afternoon.Their vital net practices on Tuesday to read the ground condition of the Eden were also cancelled due to rain.

While Australia had some indoor exercise and netting, India preferred to remain at Team hotel and even cancelled a scheduled media briefing.
Eden Gardens have been completely covered by the plastic sheets for the past seven days or more due to erratic weather condition.There was blinding rain this morning too for an hour, but later the weather looked up with fresh hope in the rival camps that they can lock horns at Eden Gardens for 50-over match starting at 1330 hours. Virat Kohli's boys are on a roll in one-day cricket with nine wins from their last 10 plays, including seven in a row.