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Indian media blames rain rule

India's national media have criticised the rain rule at the Champions Trophy, where India and Sri Lanka had to share the title after two attempts at playing the final were thwarted by bad weather.

Even after 110.4 overs were bowled over two days at Colombo's Preamadasa Stadium, there was no winner in the prestigious 12-nation tournament because the match had to be replayed rather than continued from where it was stopped on Sunday.

"The match should have resumed from where it was halted on Sunday. That way a clear result would have been possible," said The Hindustan Times newspaper.

Chasing 245 for victory, India were 14 without loss from two overs before rain forced Sunday's match to be abandoned. On Monday, they were 38 for one from 8.4 overs in reply to Sri Lanka's 222 for seven.

"The International Cricket Council (ICC) should learn a lesson from this result ahead of the 2003 World Cup," former Indian Test player Sanjay Manjrekar said on television.

"We had more than a 100 overs but still no result. If the match is continued rather than replayed, it gives you more of a chance to finish the game."

India had beaten England at the 1999 World Cup in a game that was continued the next day after being halted midway by rain.

The Champions Trophy is the biggest one-day tournament after the World Cup, which will be played in South Africa in February and March next year.

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