Kochi, Sept 30 : The first one-day international (ODI) between India and Australia having already been washed out, rain is again likely to play the spoilsport in the second game of the seven match series to be played in Kochi on October 2.

The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in the city is being spruced up to host the match on Tuesday, even as cloudy skies dampened preparations.

The groundsmen at the stadium are working overtime to protect the wicket and the outfield, which is water logged due to heavy rains in past few days.

P. V. Ramachandra, chief curator of the Kerala Cricket Association, said that all efforts were being made to prepare the ground in time.

"Problem is water logging on the ground. Drainage system is totally gone. So, we are making our own drainage system. We are making channels wherever there is water logging. We are putting pipes underneath. We are using spike rods to give air to the grass so that the water goes underneath, then putting sand on top of it to dry out the outfield,” he said.

Expressing the hope that the weather condition would improve in time, Ramachandra added that they still have to make rolling, but for that also they need dry weather.

The opening match was abandoned in Bangalore yesterday due to wet ground field.

Visitors Australia had set a target of 308 for the host after Michael Clarke hit a career-best 130.

Chasing the target, India were nine for one in 2.4 overs when showers halted the day-night game. Although the rain stopped, a wet outfield meant the match was called off after a three-hour wait.

Adam Gilchrist, the stand-in captain with Ricky Ponting absent due to a hamstring strain, said his players were ready to go back out despite the conditions.

"I was happy to take my team out in those conditions…but the umpires and the match referee deemed the field was unfit for play. That's the decision and that's what we would go by," said Gilchrist.

His Indian counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni said: "I can only say there's a fine line between being brave and foolish."

Meanwhile, Indian batsman Saurav Ganguly is doubtful to play in the second match after limping off the field during the first match.

However, skipper Dhoni sounded confident about Ganguly playing Kochi match.

"I think he is fine, tomorrow we will have the MRI done. I think it is a hamstring." Dhoni said.

Ganguly tried to stop a ball during the Australian innings when he pulled up clutching his right hamstring, and walked off the field.

Gautam Gambhir replaced him as opener when India batted. (With inputs from ANI)