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Panaji: As the Indian cricketers got on to the team bus cutting short a scheduled training session due to fading light and an overcast sky, they could hardly have been encouraged by what they witnessed on their way back to the hotel.
And soon enough, the skies opened up and it started pouring heavily, casting a shadow over Sunday's ODI against Australia.
Between the Goa ODI and the opening match of the World Cup 2011, there are just 11 games to be played. And on Sunday, it's not just the series to be decided; there are several World Cup spots up for grabs as well.
Ask young Virat Kohli how it feels to stake his claim for a middle-order berth with a classy century at Vizag. On Friday, as India went through its paces, Kohli was a picture of concentration, probably hoping to silence his doubters again.
Then there was Munaf Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, who bowled with intensity and hope to continue in the same vein, if provided with an opportunity on Sunday. At the adjacent nets, Rohit Sharma and Saurabh Tiwary's batting followed a similar pattern.
Goa has had an extended monsoon with incessant rain playing hide and seek. On Friday, as it started to pour again after two days of bright sunshine, cricket enthusiasts began crossing fingers again.
The ground is entirely covered and officials are hopeful of getting a game even if it rains a day before the match but the weather forecast does not make for encouraging reading.
The meteorological department has predicted heavy rain during the next 48 hours due to cyclonic circulation in the upper air.
Australia coach Tim Nielsen had a look at the wicket and the prevailing conditions before an intensive two-hour nets session on Friday. "I'm not sure this pitch has seen a lot of sunshine," said Nielsen. "I don't think it will be a hard, fast, bouncy wicket. There are still two days to go and we must wait and watch. If the sun comes out today (Saturday), they can roll it a bit. The wicket will be slow but still good," he added.
Meanwhile, Nielsen said, "Criticism about my team is harsh. Results have not gone our way but we have been really competitive. The World Cup team will be different."
