India vs South Africa: Drinks breaks after 10 overs to counter intense heat

The unrelenting heat wave, with the temperature hovering in the high 40s in the national capital meant both India and South Africa had to shift their afternoon practice to the evening over the last two days.

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TOI has learnt that BCCI has decided to introduce drinks breaks after 10 overs to offer the players some respite during the five-match T20I series. Usually, T20Is don't have drinks breaks but the ICC introduced it during the last T20 World Cup in UAE.

"We expected it to be hot, not this hot. Fortunately, the games are being played in the evening. At night, it is more bearable. The guys are trying to keep themselves hydrated. Keeping themselves as mentally fresh as they can," South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma said.

"Hydration, cramping and fatigue are big things. We can only get used to it by playing in this heat. And unfortunately for us, we are doing it in competitive cricket." Full house at KotlaThursday's tie will see a full house. The last time Kotla was packed to the rafters was almost three years back, during the T20I match against Bangladesh on November 3, 2019.