9.56pm The match has been called off. The first T20I ends in a washout. We got to see some good shots from Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill as India raced to 97 for 1 in 9.4 overs. Gill and SKY particularly started to pick up the pace after the first rain delay. But rain prevents any further cricket today in Canberra. Much like the ODI series, this contest too begins with rain playing a major role. At least in Perth we got a result. No such luck today. Join us for the second T20I on Friday, although there's rain predicted in Melbourne as well.

Anyway, some news coming out of the series: Rohit Sharma, on the back of his two half-centuries, becomes the top-ranked ODI batter for the first time. Also, here is the latest update on Nitish Kumar Reddy's fitness.

CJS: "This match will do a lot of good for India's confidence going into the series, especially for Gill and Surya."

Swarna: "Will the players get match fee? All Aus playerd and only 3 Indians?" - Everyone will get their match fees, Swarna. Even those who didn't come out to bat! 9.55pm More updates from the ground: "Umpires have left the field. Fourth officially appeared to pick up a bowling marker as he left. No groundstaff appearing."

9.51pm The umpires are coming out now.

9.50pm "Much lighter now, but it's a question of the clean-up time," Gnasher says. The wait goes on.

9.45pm Rain has got a bit lighter but no movement in the middle, Gnasher says. He also reckons the game will have to resume by 10.20pm local at the latest.

Keith: "I am 17,000 km from the ground and its nice and sunny here in Belfast, Northern Ireland."

Kiran Ramagiri : "Let's start the 'I am X km away from the ground's messages already.."

9.25pm Another update from Gnasher: Still coming down steadily here. The countdown timer for India's innings has finished, which would suggest that's them done if we do get back on.

Arun: "What'll be Aus' DLS target in 9 overs? " Well, here's a full list of potential targets for Australia depending on the number of overs that'll be permitted, thanks to the brilliant Sampath Bandarupalli

5 overs - 71 6 overs - 83 7 overs - 95 8 overs - 106 9 overs - 117

hippu: "The 17 runs in the last four legal balls will give a good boost to India's total from the DLS point of view."

9.16pm That piece of good news from Gnasher doesn't persist as he now reckons it's getting heavier.

9.12pm "Getting lighter," says Gnasher. Woohoo. "They are now playing "Singing in the Rain" over the PA," he adds. Sounds like a good atmosphere.

9.02pm "Fourth umpire now leaving the field as well as the groundstaff," Gnasher says.

8.53pm Well, this isn't a good sight. We are going off again for rain. "Quite heavy this time," Gnasher says. The rain stops play just as Gill and SKY's partnership was picking up speed. Australia may not mind the interruption too much.

Meanwhile, there's more action going on: South Africa have started strong against England in the Women's World Cup semi-final.

Jais: "Gill's innings and out of form SKY will cost India this match" -- Gill scoring at close to 200 on a pitch where the ball's not coming on all that well. How much more do you want?