Time for the presentation

Virat Kohli: Lot of play stations and training in the gym," he laughs, when asked about the team's schedule for the last four days. " He's then asked about the rankings scenario, with Pakistan taking over as the top-ranked side. "I said it when we became No. 1 that it was a short-term incentive. Other sides have played 10-15 Tests more than us, so it will keep switching. We can judge ourselves better at the end of our home season. Coming to the team, people have stood up at different times. Ashwin gets wickets, KL Rahul comes in and gets runs, Shikhar Dhawan scores a few, as does Umesh. I'm particularly pleased for Saha. Him coming good is one of the biggest positives as far as I'm concerned. Captaincy has been a good phase. A bit too much passion and excitement early on, but we're all of the same age group, so they keep speaking to me. They feed me with good ideas, something we can hold back on or attack more. That's been the biggest help for me. Anil Kumble's contribution has been great, particularly from the bowling point of view. His passion and commitment for the game has been loved by everyone. It will be a tough season at home, but we'll leave with our head held high. We need to be boring in our preparation to keep winning."

R Ashwin is the Man of the series. "It's No. 6 and I'm very happy about it," he smiles. "Contributing in a win for the team is always great. When we started this series, we wanted to come here and play aggressive cricket. We wanted to play five bowlers in all the games, that's something we wanted to try out. What we'll take away from here is a lot of positives. The team is such that everyone's closely monitored and their contributions are appreciated. That's why we're doing well as a unit."

Jason Holder: It was a difficult series for us, but we had quite a few positives. We looked set to compete at certain stages of the game. We just have to close out crucial moments in the game. At crucial stages, we faltered a bit in this series. Going forward, we need to seize those moments. India played some very good cricket, they had people put their hands up at different times. Credit should be given to them. We're looking forward (to the series against Pakistan in UAE). The bowlers have put their hands up in the last few games, hopefully we'll compete better.

9.35am Bad news, folks. Expected nonetheless. Called off. Congrats to Pakistan for becoming the No. 1 Test team. Congratulations to India on their 2-0 series win. This is the first time India have won two Tests on a tour of the Caribbean. Hand shakes all around. It's the third time in 18 years in the Caribbean where a Test match has been called off with less than a session in. The presentation will happen at 11.30am. Do rejoin us then. Cheers!

9.30am The stumps were put in a while ago, raising hopes of a possibility. But the body language of the umpires, who were carrying out an inspection, didn't quite exude positivity. Their shoes were comfortably sinking into a few wet patches in the outfield. Members of the TV crew and the media comfortably outnumber spectators at the Queen's Park Oval. What a pity, really. Over the last three days, we had a number of school children coming in every day in the hope of watching some cricket. Not to be.

"Can they not cordon off those wet areas like we had in our school fields are "no-go" areas?" We'd have 15-yard boundaries on one side if that were to be the case, Farid. Also, fast bowlers won't be able to run in from more than five paces, because the run-ups are extremely soggy.

Kutbuddin: "Can we see a forfeiture and a declaring of innings at 0/0 once again? Stage us set for that similar to, if I am not wrong, Eng vs SA in their last test of series some years ago." The outfield has to be deemed fit for that.

9.20am Match referee Ranjan Madugalle is in conversation with both captains, I'm told. No news on a call-off just yet, but we're veering towards that. "There should be an enquiry to find out what went wrong," thunders a furious Sir Viv Richards. "Simply not acceptable," he shakes his head.

8.50am Morning, folks. The same ritual continues. Bright sunshine, blue skies but the outfield continues to be damp. Forget a delayed start, it doesn't look like there will be any play at all. If that's indeed the case, we would have had four straight days of sunshine, and no play. We'll wait for an official confirmation. No news yet on an inspection time either, even as the host broadcasters Ten have already started reviewing the series. That tells you where we're placed at the moment. Where's the party tonight, Pakistan fans? India's stay at No. 1 lasted all of one week, after Sri Lanka whitewashed Australia at home.

Nauman Zaheer: "I am from Pakistan. For the first time, Espncricinfo is functioning as a weather app for me. I'm visiting the site often for the last four day to check if it's bright and sunny or if it's raining in Trinidad. Loving this."

***

We can confirm that play has been called off for the day at 10.25am. So that means three days of sunshine and still no cricket. Players and match officials will have to rinse and repeat their pre-match routine tomorrow too! All in the hope of getting some play in. Pakistan fans can start uncorking their champagne bottles, for they're all but the No. 1 Test team. Do join me tomorrow for the final day of the series, before the action shifts to Florida for the two Twenty20 Internationals. Until then, it's goodbye.

Susmit: "Can't we just play a T20 practice game on day 5? Can be a warm-up game for the upcoming series. We will also see higher number of spectators. That's assuming that it won't rain tomorrow." Interesting suggestion, but if only those in the corridors of power were this flexible.

10.15am Some serious deliberation happening between all parties concerned, Karthik tells me. Kumble has joined in. Can only speculate from the press box. Wait, wait. Edge-of-the-seat stuff!

10.00am West Indies coach Phil Simmons and India's manager Riyaz Bagwan are out with the umpires for the inspection. I'm told Anil Kumble has also just left the team hotel, even as the rest of the team is in the lobby. Will keep you posted with an update as and when I have it.

Manish: "Luckily cricket is happening somewhere, though it's funny that it is monsoon and its not raining in Sri Lanka."

Elsewhere at the Premadasa, Australia are chasing 228 after Mitchell Starc became the fastest to take 100 ODI wickets. Can they get off the mark on tour?

9.20am There's a tweet pic from Virat Kohli that shows him relaxing at the hotel. Maybe that's a sign of where we are placed currently. Karthik informs me there was no overnight rain in Port-of-Spain. It's a waiting game now, like it has been for the last two days and a bit. Sunil Gavaskar, one of the experts for host broadcasters Ten, isn't too optimistic of play despite bright sunshine.

Kamran: "Shashank, what is the soonest when a test match is called off (one which is consistently losing time because of rain etc.)? I know it can be called off on day 5 if umpires think no play will be possible during the day (like yesterday), but can the match be called off earlier than that?" Well, technically a team can still push for a win even with , lets say 120 overs left. However improbable that may sound. So it can't be called off. Plus, there's the commercial aspect to look into.

anranga: "We lost time like this in Bangalore too vs SA, is it not. Grounds without basic infra should not be on the venues list at all." The difference being, in Bangalore there was persistent rain on four days. Here, we haven't had any for two days.

Fawad Chaudhry: "It's raining in Islamabad right now. The universe is conspiring to see Team Misbah at the top in ICC Test Rankings."

9.00am Morning, everyone. Another bright and sunny morning in Port-of-Spain, but the Queen's Park Oval outfield is still wet. A first inspection is scheduled in an hour from now. There are those who argue that infrastructure for ground staff at the venue is next to nil for hosting an international game. There are others, who are baffled with the scheduling of a Test match here in the month of August, simply because it receives a lot of rain. Irrespective, the match referee's report of the venue would make for interesting reading.

Two full days of sunshine and no play demands a serious explanation. The local authorities have been exposed by lack of covers, Karthik Krishnaswamy writes. Of the 60 Test matches the Queen's Park Oval has hosted, this was the first to be played in August. The venue has never staged a Test in July, only two - in 2010 and 2014 - in June, and only one, back in 1965, in May. The other 56 Tests have all been played between January 19 and April 26, in the dry season, in West Indies' traditional cricket season.

***

12.30pm Play has been called off, I can confirm. Time to pack up. With the possibility of more showers over the next two days, there's more frustration in store. Wonder how itchy the players, at least the Test specialists, are to hop onto the next flight home now that the tour is nearly over. Do join me tomorrow for whatever little there is left of this Test. Cheers! Those interested in the La Liga can hop over to ESPN.in to watch Lionel Messi in action for Barcelona against Real Betis.

12.25pm Run-ups have been covered finally, but it has started to pour now. Oh, the ways of the world. That could be it, really. There was to be an inspection around now, but that looks unlikely.

Muddasir: "Normally I don't follow commentary if Pakistan isn't playing. But I've been following your rain updates all along in the hope that we will be No. 1 on Monday. I've even added Port-of-Spain as a location on my weather app." Ha, ha. How do you plan to celebrate cricket's equivalent of gold?

11.55am Karthik is back after a relaxed lunch consisting of barbeque chicken along with corn, peas and celery. "The intensity of the rain has dropped," he thunders. His dessert will have to wait though. More pressing issues at the moment. So good was the food that he dropped his phone into the plate. As Bill Lawry says, it's all happening here!

Senthil: "Rain has always denied India deserving victories in the last 12-18 months starting from Mirpur against Bangladesh (lost rating points due to draw), Bangalore against SA (who were at No.1 then). They could have earned three points each there. Since India lose only two rating points for a result not in their control, they won't be too disappointed. They can regain the top spot at home against better teams."

11.35am A massive cloud has engulfed the Queen's Park Oval. And it has started to come down quite heavily. The ground staff will have to terminate their patch-work process just as it was starting to bear fruit. Dark and gloomy.

Harsh: "Ashwin was on course to become the joint fastest to 200 test wickets should he take 7 more in this match. Now if no more play happens today will this test be counted in the matches he played? Cause if it does, it will take away a well deserved record from him." Of course it will be a recorded Test.

11.30am Karthik has spotted a pattern from his seat in the press box: "The ground staff haven't properly begun rolling the dug-up patch yet. Blowers are being used to see if the area has been dried up. They were testing a small part of it, I suppose, to check if they could roll it without bringing up any more moisture." Flattening-blowing-drying-moving onto next patch is likely to continue should the rain hold off.

11.00am The inspection may have to wait. The pitch and the adjoining areas have been covered. Still, 70% of the outfield is exposed. Add to it the fact that one side of the ground has been dug up. What' worse? It could rain any moment. "They're starting to work on the dug-up patch now," Karthik informs me.

10.50am An entire part of the outfield on one side of the ground has been opened up using a pitch fork to aid the drying up process. It doesn't look good at the moment. Perhaps they're trying to get it ready for tomorrow? Looking at the visuals, it definitely looks like the ground staff have a lot of work to patch the outfield together after the digging up process. Of course all of this will be down to nothing if it rains. Forecast is for rain later this afternoon. The absence of covers for the outfield will ensure the same parts that have been dug up now will be exposed to the elements.

10.20am Forty minutes away from a scheduled inspection. While we wait, you can dip into this piece from Karthik Krishnaswamy from the Queens Park Oval: Once a hard-hitting opening batsman, Philo Wallace had a fleeting time in the spotlight for West Indies in the 90s. He has now has turned his attention to becoming a lawyer.

A tweet from Hemant Buch, live cricket director at Ten Sports: "The outfield is a marsh. I'd venture to say there will be no further play this Test.Congrats to Pak on No.1." Ian Bishop says there's a spot at the west of the ground where the water isn't dissipating. So they're trying to dig up that part using a pitch fork. The top layer has come off. They are also using a blower to dry those patches. For those asking, the weather's near-perfect at the moment, although rain is forecast for later in the afternoon.

Rama: "Seriously, we could use all the rain combined from WI, SA and Ireland here in California to make some dent in the drought."

Aniruddh Singh : "If play starts and assuming we get 250 odd overs in remaining days, India can only win by getting 18 more WI wickets. Going by the strike rate of Indian bowlers this series (around 45), they will need 135 overs for those 18 more wickets. Of course WI will score a total of 430 (62/2 included) runs (going by strike rate of their batsman) from those 135 overs, leaving Indians a task of scoring at almost 4 an over from 110 odd overs. This is not happening without the ranks of Sehwag. Also for this to happen, India might have to declare their first innings in deficit and I am counting on Kohli to do that. But then, World would have been a happier place with so many Ifs and Buts. " You are an optimistic man. Those at the ground don't think we'll have any play at all. Oh, wait. Thanks! You've just completed the fictional scenario someone was asking me about yesterday :)

Zaheer: "Are you saying Pakistanis should start celebrating?" The champagne can be kept in the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, an interesting development on how technology can assist on-field umpires. Footage from the four side-on cameras for run-outs will be made available on a split-screen feed, along with slow-motion replays and a rewind-forward option to see whether front foot no-balls can be effectively determined by the TV umpire and conveyed to the on-field officials. Will be trialled during the England-Pakistan ODI series.

"My idea is that Kohli should go talk to Holder and try to arrange a half-Test. A day a side to bat and then the other team chases. Best way to get a result and to make sure that we get some decent cricket in." Need an outfield in shape for that, Aditya. Clearly not the case at the moment.

Dileep: "I am not rich enough to buy the super sopper but I surely can sponsor some of the tarpaulin covers to cover the entire ground! I already have a 10m X 10m in my home!"

"Can you tell me cost of Super Sopper? I wish to donate them for the future Series. Kindly forward my comment to WICB. I'm damn serious about my word." Sid, I'm not entirely sure, but safe to assume you'd be lighter by a few lakhs at least should you wish to stick to your commitment.

Raheeb: "Super sopper cost around £25000. And if you make it mandatory where does that leave UAE stadiums?"

izaz: "People need to unwind. It's just a game. Rankings are transient. It should be more disappointing that we don't get to watch cricket than who claims the ranking." Especially if you've flown in from elsewhere to watch this Test.

9.00am First inspection at 11.00am. A pitch fork is being used to test the state of the outfield, and it isn't an encouraging sight. The fork comfortably sinks into the wet patches to disturb the top layer of the outfield that disintegrates just like how a biscuit does when dipped into piping hot tea. Maybe I should get myself a cup of tea now. Back with updates as and when I have them. The Indian team has arrived well before the scheduled start time, so maybe that spells out hope that we'll have play at some stage.

Some serious hitting from Andre Russell on finals day for Notts in the Natwest T20 blast. You can catch the action here in the meanwhile. He's been part of T20-winning squads with Islamabad United, West Indies and Jamaica Tallawahs this season. Has every chance of winning his fourth title.

8.40am Morning, everyone. Another bright and sunny morning in Port-of-Spain. However, an on-time start looks unlikely as there are still patches of the outfield that is extremely soft. The ground staff are working hard. India coach Anil Kumble doesn't seem too comfortable with the outfield as it is. He's particularly concerned with the run-up areas at both ends as they were left exposed to the thunderstorms on Thursday. Another day where the ground staff will be made to work hard for their wages, by the looks. As I write, the umpires are carrying out an inspection.

Lots of brown on the outfield. Umpire Rod Tucker's shoe just got stuck into the turf as he was inspecting one particular patch at extra cover or midwicket, depending on which end you're looking at it from. They're looking at the patch with a bemused look. Not sure what they're deliberating, but going by their body language, that particular patch is a major concern at this stage. Sir Viv Richards isn't too pleased with the infrastructure for ground staff at Queens Park Oval. "Folks here have some questions to answer. Not having a Super Sopper is unacceptable," he says.

Tom de Sailor : "The super sopper should be made a mandatory requirement for a Test venue along with covers for the whole ground and a maximum time that they can take to make the ground ready for play." Couldn't agree more.

***

For most parts, there was bright sunshine, which makes it all the more baffling that we didn't have play today. India's quest for No. 1 will take a hit. Three days remain, but the forecast is for more rain over the weekend. Play is expected to start half hour early tomorrow, as was the case today. Hopefully I'll be back with better news. Cheers!

2.40pm "We've given the ground every chance to dry, unfortunately we've lost this fight today," says umpire Nigel Llong. His colleague Rod Tucker adds: "If there's no more rain, we hope to have play at some stage tomorrow."

2.25pm Thin drizzle. It's become dark. Covers are coming on, but the pitch hasn't been covered yet. There are two covers on the field, one around the slip cordon, one around mid-on. The umpires are walking briskly towards the dressing room. Karthik has spotted Kohli walking towards the exit after a chat with both the umpires. Called off.

1.50pm It's increasingly looking like a no-show today. The Indian team has left the ground, but will return if needed. 40 minutes away from the next inspection. If the umpires aren't convinced about a resumption then, that could be it for today. We've already lost close to four session.

Chris: "Today is the first in day Trinidad without any rain in say the last two weeks! If they cant get a single over in, they should just call this thing off already. Playing five-day cricket here in August was never a good idea"

bryan lalchan: "I am more inclined to believe the stories floating around that municipal drains have not been properly cleaned. The QP Oval has had an excellent track record of draining quickly. For this test and most of the CPL, the outfield has been soggy."

You thoughts on cricket at the Olympics? Here's a marker on the challenges it faces .

JK: "@Shashank Why don't you start writing fictitious commentary for an epic match with wild plot swings. Dive into psychology like Tolstoy or irony the O' Henry way. You could choose to end it with a fierce final session with a twist or something that is open to interpretation." You should be given the 'feedback of the match' award :) I'm game. Try convincing Sanjay, my colleague who is on scoring duty.

Next inspection at 2.30pm

12.40pm Karthik has something for us from the venue: "Not much activity from the groundstaff after lunch." Looks like the sun will have to complete the drying process. How long is the question.

As we wait for an update from Port-of-Spain, here's Sharda Ugra with a perfect read on those who have made India proud at the Olympics: Dipa, Sakshi and Sindhu have struck a blow against the patriarchy that defines India's sporting culture

Elsewhere in Durban, South Africa haven't made the best of starts against New Zealand. As many as eight batsmen into double digits, with the highest being 53. Alagappan Muthu has the day's bulletin

Hassan Aslam: "It will be interesting to see India's approach if this is a three-day game. For India to win, they'll have to skittle WI in half a day, then race to a 150-odd lead and then bowl them out on Day five." A long shot, but that's assuming the weather's all clear, which isn't the case.

11.30am Umpires Rod Tucker and Nigel Llong have just finished an inspection. They're unhappy with the drying process. "Infield is extremely soft, which isn't a good sign," Tucker says. The next inspection will be at 1.00pm. (10.30pm IST). Players are at the hotel. Time for lunch.

"I don't know how much a super sopper would have helped with the amount of rain we've had," Tucker says. It's sunny, but extremely still. Umpires are hoping for some wind to help the drying up process. "Waiting game."

Avnish: "Where there is a will there is a way. If there is no wind, you make the wind. I remember a helicopter being used to dry the ground! " Forget about a helicopter. There's no super sopper

Zishan: "Sorry to be offbeat, and a bit of a party-pooper, but I think this is the problem of us sub-contnient teams, the fascination with rankings. I mean we are in the middle of a test series, and instead of talking about game strategy, team selection, issues etc we are talking about rankings. Painful to see as a sportsman." Well, Kohli has been asked about this repeatedly. He's insisted each time that rankings are a byproduct of good cricket, and they'd be able to judge themselves as a side after a long home season.

"Unfortunately for Pakistan fans, India are playing a humongous number of test matches in the coming months. The relative paucity of fixtures means that its going to be an uphill battle for Pakistan to remain on top" Ashok, Pakistan's next Test assignment is against West Indies in UAE. On current form, they should fancy their chances. A tour of Australia follows, so in terms of number of matches, they're almost there. India have the home advantage though.

10.30am Next inspection in an hour. The wait continues. Ground staff seem to be using what looks like vacuum cleaners to dry the run-up areas, Karthik informs me from the venue.

"I have never followed the weather patterns in Trinidad so closely as I am now - Ahsan, a Pakistan fan. "

10.20am An update from Queens Park Oval: The umpires are particularly concerned with the wet patches around the pitch. Sun is out. We should have on official word shortly.

"Is the outfield really soggy or are they waiting for the gold medal match to get over?" I ain't complaining, Shanthosh. Quite a comeback, isn't it?

For those who have an eye on Rio, you can follow PV Sindhu's badminton final here

10.00am Thirty minutes away from an inspection. We could have a start within an hour after that, but there's no confirmation yet. If you're still wondering why the delay despite bright sunshine: water-retention capacity of a sand-based outfield is high. Add to it the fact that only the square and adjoining areas were covered last night, leaving nearly 70% of the outfield exposed to the downpour.

"What will happen to Pakistan's Test Ranking if there is a draw?" On top of the world, Talha

If you missed it earlier, you can dig into Part-1 of Karthik Krishnaswamy's Caribbean adventure. Sample this: "Sabina Park has some of Delhi's brusqueness. Near one of its gates is a sign saying "Keep off the grass. No pissing." Another sign, on the fence surrounding the nets area, says "No weapons allowed."

"It is frustrating to see delayed start despite of bright and sunny morning because of insufficient facilities. Could have been a cracking morning." Absolutely, Vishal. Taking a crash course from the curators in Galle wouldn't be a bad idea, apart from, of course, upgrading their facilities.

8.50am Morning, folks. First the good news: It's bright and sunny in Port-of-Spain. Bad news: Large parts of the outfield is still soggy. There will be an inspection at 10.30am. If the sun continues to beat down like it is now, we should have some play. That said, we should be lucky to get in 60 overs today. The forecast for later in the day is for scattered thunderstorms. The covers are firmly tucked in front of the advertising hoardings, and not behind them as is the case normally. Maybe the ground staff know something we don't.

If some riveting Test match action is what you desire on this lovely Friday morning/evening, here's live action from Durban where New Zealand have a lid on South Africa in the first Test.

For a change, lets forget about cricket at the Olympics. Instead, celebrate Sunette Viljoen, former South Africa Women allrounder, who won a medal for her country at Rio.

***

2.00pm Indian players have their feet up in the dressing room, twiddling their thumbs on their smartphones. Play has been called off for the day. For them to call it off an hour into what should have been an hour and a bit into the second session tells you the kind of damage the rain has done. I'm told there's no Super Sopper in place at the venue, which left the ground staff a near-impossible task of mopping up all the water. To add to their woes, the rain that alternated between a drizzle and a thunderstorm, didn't really subside at any stage. Play will start 30 minutes early tomorrow, with a maximum of 98 over to be bowled. Let's just not look at the forecast for now, for there's a lot of rain predicted.

Salman: "We know that people, especially Pak fans are getting a bit carried away with the possibility of Pakistan climbing to no.1 in the tests ranking. But looking at the difficult past it had (the 2010 match fixing incident) along with playing home games away from Pakistan from 2009, don't you think the teams and the fans should be given credit to rejoice this achievement even if it may be for a short span of time?" Absolutely. Rankings can take care of themselves. Enjoy the fine performance.

Toma-WOC: "Sometimes rankings hide the real excitements of sport. 2-2 vs England was the most competitive series of this year perhaps and is the story of the summer alongside Sri Lanka's clean sweep of the Aussies. Overall though with all bilateral trophies bar against Pakistan, England "look" like the prime candidate for No 1. However, whoever plays most at home will benefit in the rankings. "

1.35pm Oh, dear. Pelting down again. The wait continues. Frustrating, isn't it?

1.20pm There is a thin drizzle, but the sun is just starting to break through. When it stops completely, the ground staff will have their task cut out, given how much water there is on the covers.

Srivastav Ranga: "All this ranking discussion is making me cringe. Even if its rained off and Pakistan get to No.1, the rankings are sure to exchange hands multiple times over the next few years. India`s string of 12 tests against NZ, England and Australia along with Pakistan`s tour to NZ/Aus will decide who will be the long-term No.1. " Exactly what Virat Kohli said at the toss. 'Will know our standing as a Test team after a long home season.' And he was asked about the rankings.

1.00pm Play should have resumed after lunch, but it's drizzling again. Ripples appearing on the puddles on top of the covers, Karthik informs me.

Ali Aden: "What happens in test rankings if the match is a draw? Does Pakistan get No. 1 spot?" Bingo.

Taha Saleem: "Test Cricket is fantastic! Even in terms of Rain, and no play, people can still get excited. Regards, An ardent supporter of Pakistan team." You'll also, at some stage, will have to hope for a lot of resolve from West Indies to keep the Indian bowlers at bay. But yes, your point is a very valid one!

12.40pm Update from the ground: Rain has stopped, but it feels like it'll take a while for the outfield to dry. Not much activity from the ground staff yet. If you missed parts of the session, you can dig into Sid Monga's lunch bulletin. If you're looking at something player-centric, then there's this from Aakash Chopra on 'What KL Rahul tells us about the future of opening batsmanship'

12.30pm Karthik from gloomy Port-of-Spain: "Puddles beginning to form on exposed parts of outfield." The brighter side, I'd think, is you have enough time for a hearty lunch and some run and raisin ice cream?

12.15pm The light has become murky. Dark clouds overhead, and the ground staff are out with the covers. Heavy and steady now, Karthik informs me from the ground. " Visibility just went down drastically in like an instant." Jeff Dujon expects a delay as the mountains in the background, to the northern side of the ground, aren't visible. That should be lunch.

So to sum up, Kraigg Brathwaite was reprieved early, but India hit back with the strikes of Johnson and Bravo with two superb deliveries. Ishant got one to lift, while Ashwin squared up local boy Bravo with a superb in-drifter that spun past the face of the bat. Spin will increasingly become the flavour of the game as things stand. Hope the rain eases out.

Here's Shami