IND vs AUS: How Canberra's floodlight curfew resulted in loss of overs in 1st T20I despite brief rain delays

Explained: Why India vs Australia 1st T20I lost overs despite short rain breaks. (Photo: Cricket Australia)

IND vs AUS: In the opening game of the three-game Twenty20 International series between Australia and India in Canberra on Wednesday, some rain was predicted. The authorities had to cover the pitch and send the players back to their dugouts just after 5 overs were bowled due to a heavy downpour. In international cricket, a 40-minute delay is not seen as important; and play resumed after that. However, the game was shortened to 18 overs per side after a total of 4 overs were eliminated.

It was said that the Powerplay will last for 5.2 overs when the updated playing conditions were announced following the rain delay. Two bowlers could bowl up to three overs, and three bowlers could bowl up to four overs each under the adjusted bowling quotas.

Even though the rain break was brief, former Australia captain Aaron Finch clarified that the floodlight curfew was the cause of the match's overs reduction. He mentioned that because to the venue's residential surroundings, the lights must be turned off automatically at 11:00 p.m. local time. As a result, the game timeframe had to be shortened.

Meanwhile, pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was sidelined for the first three games of the series, which dealt India a serious setback before the first Twenty20 International could start in Canberra.

Milestone unlocked sixes and counting for Captain @surya_14kumar in T20Is Updates  https://t.co/VE4FvHCa1u#TeamIndia | #AUSvINDpic.twitter.com/wyLphOxwII

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— BCCI (@BCCI) October 29, 2025

The youngster, who was recuperating from a left quadriceps injury sustained during the second ODI in Adelaide, complained of neck spasms, which further hindered his recuperation and movement, according to a BCCI release.

Reddy, who has played in four Twenty20 Internationals thus far, has taken 3 wickets and amassed 90 runs, with a best of 74.