Rain played spoilsport, as just a little over half-an-hour of play was possible on the first day of the four-day Elite Group 'A' Ranji Trophy cricket match between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in Chennai on Friday.

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When play was called off for the day at 1430 IST, Tamil Nadu, put into bat, were 20 for no loss with Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan (15) and C Hemant Kumar (2) at the crease.

Play started behind schedule at 0953 IST, but rains, under the influence of cylone 'Fanoos', forced an interruption at 1025.

Only 5.5 overs were bowled by that time and no play was possible thereafter.

With no sign of relief from rain, umpires M R Singh and Jasbir Singh finally called off play for the day after an inspection at 1430.

With the cyclone set to cross the Tamil Nadu coast by Saturday noon and the weather office forecasting rain in various parts, including the city, play looks doubtful on Saturday too.