FORT LAUDERDALE, USA (AFP) — India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni wants more matches in the United States despite a chaotic Twenty20 clash against the West Indies yesterday ending in a rain-hit no result.Heavy rain forced the game at the Central Broward Regional Park to be abandoned on Sunday, with India well-placed on 15-0 off two overs in pursuit of a modest 144-run target.
The outcome completed a miserable day for the organisers who were forced to delay the start of the game by 40 minutes after technical problems caused a loss of television pictures.
West Indies, the world champions in the format, claimed the two-match series after winning the first game on Saturday by just one run.
Dhoni, whose side conceded the third-highest total of all-time in the format of 245 in the opening clash, said he definitely sees a future for T20 cricket in America’s crowded sports market.
“This is one place where we can come back and play cricket – a triangular or four-nation series,” Dhoni said at yesterday’s presentation in comments carried by the Cricinfo website.
“A tournament like that can give us more time to spend in the U.S. Yes, it will be a cramped schedule, but modern-day cricketers won’t mind it.
“This is one place where spectators will come. The timing suits us. So it’s a win-win situation. It’s a good venue to continue cricket.”
Carlos Brathwaite, leading the West Indies for the first time after the sacking of Darren Sammy, also looked forward to returning to Florida.
“For me as a young leader to lead the players is an exciting experience. We want to remain champions and entertain the West Indies crowd. Most definitely we would love to come back here again,” he said.