India tour match held following Phillip Hughes’ death
South Australian Cricket Association cancels day one of visitors’ match against CA XI
Adelaide: The first day of India's tour match has been cancelled following the shocking death of Australia Test batsman Phillip Hughes, the South Australian Cricket Association said on Thursday.
The tourists were scheduled to begin a two-day game against a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide on Friday, but officials said the grief-stricken players will not be able to take the field at that time.
There remains a possibility the game may go ahead on Saturday and Sunday, reports said.
The popular Hughes died Thursday from his injuries after being hit on the head by a short-pitched ball in a domestic game two days earlier, never regaining consciousness.
Indian players were shaken when informed of Hughes' death.
The squad had just completed training at Adelaide Oval when team director Ravi Shastri and coach Duncan Fletcher called them into a huddle.
It was a brief conversation, with the squad quickly disappearing to the changing rooms before leaving the ground.
"The touring Indian team joins the cricketing fraternity across the world in offering condolences to the family of Phillip Hughes, who has departed from our midst," a statement from the Indian squad said.
"In this moment of grief, we pray that they are bestowed with divine strength to overcome this unfortunate tragedy.
"As fellow cricketers we cherish the memories of playing along with him and deeply respect his contribution to the game of cricket."
Stand-in skipper Virat Kohli tweeted on social media that he was "shocked and saddened by the news".
The Adelaide Oval scoreboard carried a tribute message to Hughes, as staff and teammates attempted to come to terms with the 25-year-old's death from a rare head injury.