Team India’s extra practice day at Birmingham ahead of the first Test match on August 1 was washed out completely due to rains.
The Indian team was supposed to reach Birmingham on Sunday but their decision to reduce the practice match at Chelmsford from four days to three owing to the heatwave and barren outfield meant they reached the venue for the first Test match a day before.
Another reason for reducing the practice match against Essex which ended in a draw was to gain that extra day of practice before facing the likes of Broad and Anderson. Much to India’s disappointment, their plans got washed away with rains, leaving them with only two days to train before the five-match Test series begins from Wednesday.
The rain at Birmingham might have robbed India of a practice session but it turned out to be a blessing for the hosts. There were concerns looming all over the English camp regarding the nature of the pitches because a month-long heat wave that had soaked all the moisture from the Edgbaston pitch.
England fast bowler Stuart Broad had raised concerns about the nature of the pitches because of the heatwave.
"It will be a really exciting series as both teams don't know what the pitch will do neither the groundsmen really know because probably they haven't experienced this sort of weather in England for a long time. The lack of moisture that has been around, players will have to adapt," Broad said.
Now with rain arriving just at the right time and predictions of a cooler weekend, it won’t be a surprise if Virat and Co. are greeted with a seamer-friendly track on the series opener.