Series shared after no-result in third T20I

The third and final Twenty20 International between India and Australia was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a soggy outfield. The no-result meant the three-match series was shared 1-1.

While most parts of Hyderabad received heavy rainfall on Friday (October 13), it didn't rain in the vicinity of the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium. But unprecedented rainfall over the last couple of weeks had left many damp patches spread across the outfield and it was deemed unfit to play.

CK Nandan and Anil Chaudhary, the two on-field umpires, and Richie Richardson, the ICC match referee, conducted three inspections at 6.15pm, 7.00pm and 7:45pm, but despite numerous attempts by the ground staff, who relentlessly spread sand over the patches, the field could not be made ready and the match was called off at 8:20pm.

Persistent rain in the lead up to the series decider had left the outfield soft and muddy. The end was disappointing for the 29,851 fans who had turned up in anticipation of an exciting finale in what was the first T20I at this venue.

India won the rain-curtailed first T20I in Ranchi by nine wickets via the DLS method, while Australia bounced back to canter to an eight-wicket win in the second match in Guwahati. India had triumphed 4-1 in the preceding One-Day International series.