Thunderstorms waterlogged the Chepauk ground and umpires Daryl Harper and Mark Benson called off play at 1300 hrs (0730 GMT) after inspecting the soggy outfield.

The first day's play was also washed out and more rain was forecast for the next 24 hours.

Cyclone Baaz, which was hovering in the Bay of Bengal, weakened into a depression late on Friday but brought rain through the night to drench this southern metropolis.

Bad weather has already deprived Chennai of its last three international matches. India's one-day internationals against New Zealand in 2003 and South Africa a fortnight ago were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The second Test against Australia in October last year was drawn after the final day's play was washed out with India on the doorstep of victory.

Local cricket officials, fearing another rain-affected match, have chosen to sell only daily tickets for the Sri Lanka Test.

The three-Test series is Sri Lanka's first on Indian soil in eight years.