India captain addresses weather disruptions as team prepares for Afghanistan clash on September 28.
India's preparations for the quarter-final against Afghanistan on September 28 have been hampered by persistent rain at the venue. Heavy showers disrupted the team's training schedule on Sunday, with torrential downpour cutting short the available practice time. Despite the challenging conditions, the squad maximised the limited window by conducting warm-up drills and knocking on the turf.
India captain Shreyas Iyer addressed the weather situation ahead of the match scheduled to begin at 10:30 am IST. The forecast indicated heavy rain was expected to continue on Monday, raising concerns about the fixture's completion. Iyer acknowledged the unpredictability of the conditions and the team's approach to managing the disruption.
“Yes, it is raining. We cannot give a reason for that. Because we have decided that we are a bunch of professionals. And such hurdles will keep coming. And we have to be mentally prepared irrespective of whatever the situation is going to be. So, we got a decent warm-up and a little practice of knocking. And tomorrow, we will try to adapt as soon as possible. We will see how the weather is. But that is secondary. The primary importance is to come and play the match,” Iyer said on the eve of the match.
The last two matches held at the venue were washed out, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Monday's quarter-final. Afghanistan and Nepal's group-stage fixture on Saturday was abandoned due to weather, with Nepal finishing atop Group A. India were defending the gold medal won at the previous Asian Games edition in Hangzhou, where the team triumphed under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad.
“Not just Afghanistan. Any team in Asian Games like Japan has given us a very good competition. Because the wicket here cannot be set in a particular standard. But as I said earlier, it is very important to adapt. It will be challenging and difficult for every team. So, whichever team plays well, we will definitely go for the match from that point of view,” said Iyer.
“It's completely different because over here, right now, there are teams who are from Asia. And at the same time, we are staying in different venues, playing in the same venue. So, I personally feel it's a great opportunity for everyone to come and represent their own country. And at the same time, the conditions are challenging. The more you embrace it, the more you basically see to it that you are optimizing the best opportunities that you are getting. And at the same time, I feel that you put your reasons aside and try to maximise everything that is around you. In this beautiful country, Japan, I feel everything eventually falls into the right place,” he added.