Viewers all over the world had settled down in optimism and anticipation to watch the first semifinal of the Cricket World Cup 2019 between New Zealand and India. It started well for the New Zealand team when they won the toss and decided to bat first. However, opener Martin Guptill departed after making just one run and wasting 14 balls.
India’s excellent run in this world cup meant that Indian fans were really, really looking forward to this semifinal.
The New Zealand scoreboard didn’t seem too impressive with 211 runs on the board, having lost 5 wickets (in 46.1 overs at 4.57 runs per over) when the rain came.
The covers came on and the players left the field. Then began the wait. However, the rain showed no sign of letting up.
The league match between India and New Zealand had been washed out as well.
In case New Zealand didn’t bat again, India's target in 46 overs would be 237, 40 overs will be 223, 35 overs will be 209, 30 overs will be 192, 25 overs will be 172, 20 overs would be 148 tweeted statistician Mohandas Menon.
Viewers at home and those excited to watch a big match live in the stadium waited but the rain wasn’t letting up.
A lot of people were praying for the rain to stop but the weather gods had other plans.
Virat Kohli's men could have had an easy job of it to reach the New Zealand total if the rain had not interrupted play, felt many.
People hoped the rain would stop but the rain had its own agenda.
However, the match never did resume. A lot of people were really angry about this and the fact that so many matches – including the India-New Zealand league match.
Why have the World Cup in England at all, questioned the tweeple. “World Cup in England, great idea! It only rains 364543 times a year,” said another tweet.
The Indian players (and fans) would have been anxious to get back in the fray. The Indians were in an enviable position. The New Zealand supporters may well have heaved a sigh of relief, though.
Some expressed the view that there was black magic afoot – or some really bad vibes from the neighbours.
The rain has been like an 11th team this World Cup, interfering in matches, taking away points and generally making a nuisance of itself – even in the semifinals.
The match will continue today. It will not be restarted or replayed. The teams pick up where they left off yesterday. And what if today is washed out as well? Well, then India make the finals on Sunday because we have the most points (India has 15 points, Australia follows with 14, England has 12 and New Zealand has 11). Indians are hoping that the rains behave themselves today. Or not...that works too.
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