Rain-god also may visit Dharamsala for IPL match

DHARAMSALA - The Indian Premier League (IPL), which is set to host its two matches in Dharamsala this week-end might also have the rain-god as a visitor.

The Met department has forecast cloudy weather conditions during the period two IPL matches will be played here Friday and Sunday at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium.

“The sky will remain clear in the morning Friday but will turn partly cloudy later in the afternoon,” Manmohan Singh, director of the Meteorological Office in Shimla, told IANS.

Though the first match is not likely to be affected, he said there are chances of one or two spells of light to moderate rain or thundershowers Sunday, when the second match is to be played.

Generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers is expected Sunday, Singh said.

Singh said the western disturbances would bring rain and thundershowers to the state in the next five to six days.

The HPCA is, however, not worried about the Met Office forecasts. “Cool weather conditions would be quite relaxing and soothing for the players. A brief spell of rain will enable the players to perform at their best,” HPCA press secretary Narinder Attari said.

Friday’s match will see the Kings XI Punjab take on the Deccan Chargers in a day-and-night affair while the second match Sunday would be a day game between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings.

The HPCA stadium is situated at an altitude of 4,000 feet in the backdrop of the Dhauladhar ranges. It became a part of the international cricket map in 2005, when it hosted a warm-up tie between the touring Pakistan team and the Indian Board President’s XI.