On Monday, the match between Australia and India was abandoned due to heavy showers and only 16 overs could be possible in Sydney. (Source: AP)

You can never be too far away from a Sydney vs Melbourne debate when in Australia. It’s everywhere and it’s eternal. From the Channel 9 commentary box to the pubs, from the cricket grounds to the footy fields, they’re all indulging in it. All the time. Sydney has the beaches, Melbourne has the businesses. Sydney has the Opera House, Melbourne has the G. Sydney is expensive, Melbourne’s rated annually as the best city to live in. Sydney has the best public transport you can imagine, Melbourne’s not on Google Maps. And you can trust them to discover a multitude of differences almost on a daily basis.

But it’s when the topic shifts to weather that the Sydneysiders really find their voice, even managing to mute the Melburnians for a change. For, if Sydney has what you will call the most homely climate in the world — for at least three quarters of a year — the Melbourne weather has at times been referred to as being schizophrenic.

So you could imagine the whole of Melbourne sniggering as Sydney woke to a heavy drizzle on Australia Day. Incidentally, it was raining in the Victorian capital as well. But at least the inclement weather didn’t turn a much-anticipated ODI into a damp squib on the most important day on the Aussie calendar like it did at the SCG. But the Indians weren’t really complaining though.

The washed-out game and the subsequent no-result outcome gave them two points. It not only ensured that their clash against England in Perth on Friday will now be a knockout, it also gave them the luxury of not having to win with a bonus point to qualify. The rain gave them the bonus point they required four days in advance. In fact, it gave them two thus eliminating their worries over net run-rate. It also meant that India wouldn’t lose three ODIs on the trot for the first time since the time they toured Australia three years ago.

Even as the thousands who had bought the expensive tickets for the Australia Day cricket fare wondered whether they were eligible for a refund — the Indian fans in particular — MS Dhoni and his team returned to the confines of their hotel without really having broken a sweat and having earned a huge favour.

Glimmer of hope

The skies had cast a gloomy look since the wee hours of Monday and the heavens had opened by the time most of Sydney had woken up. There was a glimmer of hope when play started just 40 minutes after it was originally scheduled but the players were off after less than four overs were bowled. Play resumed soon after though as a stiff breeze blew the heavy drizzle away. But just as the match looked to be taking shape, and Ajinkya Rahane seemed set to break free, the rains returned with India on 69/2 in 16 overs. It was a heavier shower on this occasion and it chased away the two teams, who never came close to returning onto the SCG field again.

Unfortunately, in between all the sprinkles and showers, there was enough time though for India’s jitteriness at the top of the order to be exposed again. Shikhar Dhawan survived two full deliveries to start with. That they were pitched on his legs helped his cause, as he clipped them away for runs on the on-side.

Then Mitchell Starc got one to pitch on a length and rear up slightly outside the left-hander’s off-stump. Dhawan glided the delivery into Aaron Finch’s hands at first slip, almost politely as if he was passing on his wishes to his counterparts on their national day. The Delhi opener made eight, taking his tally in the tri-series to 11, and his overall tour average to 19.77 in nine innings.

If Dhawan gifted his wicket away, Ambati Rayudu gave his away for charity. Or so it seemed, as he jumped out to Mitchell Marsh and attempted to slice a short delivery over the infield. All he managed to do was get a splice of the bat and offer David Warner a tough chance, which he accepted gleefully, even finding time to taunt the massive section of Indian fans whom he was running towards.

Failing as No.3

Rayudu had by then played a couple of delightful strokes, including a straight six off Marsh. But then he had failed to fulfil the righteous duty of any No.3, making the most of a positive start for the umpteenth occasion. The only positives for India on the rain-marred day was the return of Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma to their ranks, even if the duo didn’t get to see much of the SCG on Monday except their dressing room.

With Dhawan and Rayudu continuing to struggle, the world champions will hope for Rohit Sharma, who’s yet to play a game after scoring 138 at the MCG, to regain his fitness, and thus at least have a more stable opening combination. They will need it for sure against a quality English attack to at least enhance their chances of making sure that they don’t end the first phase of their Australian sojourn without a single win to show for it.

Whether they do or not, the Sydney-Melbourne skirmish will wage on ceaselessly. The fact that there is yet to be a complete resolution only keeps the debate fresh and active. Much in the same way, the rain ensured that India’s chances were kept alive, even if they remain plugged on to the ventilator going into Perth.

Brief scores: India 69/2 in 16 ovs (A Rahane 28 n.o, A Rayudu 23, M Starc 1/11)