The first T20 International between India and South Africa in Dharamsala has been abandoned with a ball being bowled because of rain.

Heavy rain right through the day at the HPCA stadium forced the umpires to call off play.

The two teams will next play in the second game in Mohali on Wednesday, followed by the third and final T20I in Bangalore on September 22.

Heavy rain continues to lash the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala and the chances of the match are very bleak at the moment.

"Things not looking great here in Dharamsala at the moment. It is pouring," tweeted BCCI.

Heavy rain continues to lash the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala and the chances of the match are very bleak at the moment.

"Things not looking great here in Dharamsala at the moment. It is pouring," tweeted BCCI.

The toss has been delayed in Dharamsala because of rain.

"Work in progress at the moment to get the ground ready here in Dharamsala," tweets BCCI.

The groundstaff were working hard on the covers but in vain as it starts pouring again and they are forced to give up for now.

Not so good news from Dharamsala.

"Raining in Dharamsala at the moment," tweeted BCCI some time back.

But as of now, the rain has stopped and the groundstaff are working on taking off the covers. They have their task cut though with a lot of puddles around the outfield.

A sharp spell of afternoon thundershowers lashed Dharamsala ahead of the first T20 International between India and South Africa.

As per the weather forecast, scattered thundershowers are expected during the day.

While the match is scheduled to start at 7 pm IST, the HPCA Stadium is equipped with quality drainage facility and can prepare the ground for a full 40-over game even if the rain stops by 5 pm.

Welcome to the coverage of the first T20 International between India and South Africa, in Dharamsala, on Sunday.

Virat Kohli will be venturing into the unknown with a clean slate, where a few seasoned hands will be backing a group of immensely talented youngsters, in his quest for World T20 title which begins with a three-match bilateral series against South Africa.

The 3-0 series win against the West Indies could be called a pre-cursor as it was just after enduring a disappointing end to their ODI World Cup campaign.

The real battle begins now with this series against Quinton de Kocks and Kagiso Rabadas, who are also in the midst of a tough transition phase.

A good spell from Rabada or a cameo from David Miller could pose challenge for the Indians, while some of the others like Test specialist Temba Bavuma or Anrich Nortje will like to prove their credentials in absence of Faf du Plessis or Hashim Amla.

There will be around 20 odd matches for captain Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri to build a near perfect combination going into the World T20 in Australia in October next year.

There are many questions that the team management will have to answer in the next 13 months during which IPL will also be held.