Weather conditions in the national capital are expected to remain a major talking point as Afghanistan host India in the opening match of their three-game T20I series on Sunday.
With the monsoon continuing to bring intermittent showers to Delhi, rain could threaten to disrupt the series opener at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and affect preparations for the highly anticipated contest.
Delhi has experienced scattered rainfall during the past fortnight, making the weather an important factor ahead of the match. Both teams are scheduled to begin the series in the national capital, but the possibility of showers has raised uncertainty over whether the opening game will proceed without interruptions or whether the players and spectators will have to contend with delays.
According to weather updates from AccuWeather, there is a 64 per cent chance of precipitation in Delhi on Sunday. The forecast indicates that the threat of rain could be more prominent during the afternoon and evening, while conditions are expected to be comparatively more favourable in the morning. This could leave the match vulnerable to interruptions close to the scheduled start.
The first T20I is slated to begin at 7 pm, a timing that coincides with the period when the possibility of rainfall is expected to be relatively higher. Any sustained shower before or during the game could affect the outfield, delay the toss or force the match officials to adjust the playing schedule depending on the intensity and duration of the rain.
The weather situation will therefore be closely monitored by the teams, organisers and fans as the series gets underway. While the focus remains on the contest between India and Afghanistan, the conditions in Delhi may play an unexpected role in determining how smoothly the opening fixture is conducted.
The three-match series is set to begin in New Delhi from Sunday, with both sides looking to make a strong start. However, the latest forecast suggests that rain could emerge as an unwanted factor, potentially preventing a full match or causing delays at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.