Yuvraj Singh’s return to international cricket was washed out by heavy rains that lasted for well over two hours here. The picturesque venue, nestled in the Eastern Ghats, was thronged by people eager to see Yuvraj and holding posters bearing his name. The stands were packed and the fans eventually got a glimpse of him and a loud roar welcomed him as he was felicitated by the local association. “I was very excited. Unfortunately it’s raining. I just can’t wait to get back to the field,” Yuvraj said.

The stadium, which has hosted four ODIs and played host to a few Deccan Chargers games last season, has applied for Test status. The teams travel to Chennai on Sunday for the second and final T20.

BCCI no to PCB request
PTI ADDS FROM Lahore: The BCCI has turned down the Pakistan board’s request to stage one of the three ODI matches during the limited overs series in India in Mohali citing its rotation policy. “They have expressed their regret stating that they have a rotation policy of allocating matches to their affiliated units and under this policy the venues have already been decided,” a PCB official said.

Pakistan are due to tour India in late December to play three ODIs and two T20s that would signal the resumption of bilateral cricketing ties between the nations after a five-year gap.