Wed May 07 01:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Hyderabad Stadium’s Drainage Concerns Raise IPL Playoff Doubts
**Hyderabad, May 6** – Concerns are mounting over the readiness of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, to host the upcoming IPL playoffs. A heavy downpour on Monday, May 5th, led to the abandonment of a match between SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals due to a waterlogged outfield, highlighting inadequate drainage and insufficient ground cover at the venue.
The intense rainfall, which included hailstones, lasted over an hour, overwhelming the stadium’s drainage system and leaving large portions of the outfield unplayable despite the use of 18 covers and two Super Soppers. While a ground staff member claimed 90% of the ground was covered, SRH officials dispute this, stating the inadequate coverage contributed to the abandonment.
The incident has sparked criticism, with SRH expressing their unhappiness to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The franchise, which pays the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) ₹1 crore per match, felt they were in a winning position before the no-result outcome eliminated them from playoff contention.
HCA secretary P Devaraj acknowledged the shortcomings, admitting the association was unprepared for the sudden downpour. He assured that improvements to drainage and ground cover will be made before the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator matches scheduled for May 20th and 21st. However, the incident raises questions about whether sufficient improvements can be made in time, especially given the lack of a comprehensive weather forecast on the day.
The Uppal Stadium’s deficiencies are in stark contrast to other IPL venues like Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy and Chennai’s Chepauk, known for their excellent drainage, and Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, which has full ground cover. The HCA now faces the challenge of upgrading the stadium’s infrastructure to avoid similar disruptions during the crucial playoff matches.
First Piper 