New Delhi: The Indian women’s team had an unexpected and uninvited guest in Colombo on Friday during their practice session ahead of World Cup clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday. India got off to a great start thrashing Sri Lanka in their opening game while Pakistan suffered an embarrassing loss against Bangladesh.
Both the side would lock horns in their second match of the marquee event on October 5 in Colombo and while training at the R Premadasa Stadium, a snake slithered in to halt their practice session also causing panic among the players. It is being learnt that though a lot of panic was witnessed among the players but the it is not venomous as it’s not unusual at the venue.
It was a common rat snake or Garandiya in Sinhalese and is commonly found in parts of Sri Lanka. During the Lanka Premier League fixtures earlier, it made appearances and was even spotted during a Sri Lanka and Bangladesh ODI earlier in the year in July. Though it is strange but this is what the tradition is in the island nation.
Ground official clarifies
As per a report in PTI, a ground official was quick to clarify about the snake that had creeped in during the training session of the Women in Blue.
‘It’s not venomous. It doesn’t bite. It’s a Garandiya, just looking for rats,’ a ground official said.
On Friday, the greyish-brown snake was seen slithering along the drains and the stands, right when the Indian players were moving from the centre wicket towards the nets. The sight of the reptile sparked amusement among the Indian cricketers, support staff, and even the media contingent present.
India take on Pakistan in their second game of the women’s World Cup on Sunday. The Women in Blue had won their opener comprehensively against co-hosts Sri Lanka.