The New Zealand men’s cricket team has been grappling with nature’s unpredictable hand during their tour of India, as their planned matches have been consistently thwarted by unseasonal rains. This unforeseen interruption has not only tested their patience but has also sparked a wave of humor on social media. After all five days of the Test match against Afghanistan in Greater Noida were washed out in September, the opening day in Bengaluru on October 16 suffered the same fate. The highly anticipated first Test between India and New Zealand never commenced as torrential downpours forced officials to call off play without a single ball being bowled.
The teams, officials, and fans eagerly awaited the start of the match, but the weather had other plans. Occasional breaks in the rain brought brief glimmers of hope. During these intervals, ground staff made several attempts to prepare the field, with umpires venturing out to inspect the conditions. Yet, the intense downpour had left the outfield completely soaked, rendering it impossible for the match to proceed on the scheduled day.
Despite this, the spirit of cricket supporters seemed undaunted. They took to social media to express their amusement and disappointment, with many sharing humorous memes and comments about the washed-out game. One meme that particularly caught the public’s imagination was from a popular social media page called RVCJ on Instagram, which compared the New Zealand cricket team, termed as ‘Kiwis’, to Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor. The playful question posed was, “Kiwis or Shraddha Kapoor?”
Shraddha Kapoor herself participated in the viral trend by sharing the meme with laughing emojis and a cloud on her Instagram story. Known for her roles in rain-soaked Bollywood dance numbers, particularly the chartbusters like ‘Cham Cham’ from Baaghi and ‘Baarish’ from Half Girlfriend, Kapoor’s iconic association with rain made her a fitting figure for this unexpected social media spotlight.
. Her ascent to fame was largely attributed to her performance in Aashiqui 2, where the song ‘Tum Hi Ho’ became synonymous with romantic rain sequences.
Beyond the social media frenzy, cricket players and fans are anxiously looking forward to the second day of the match, hoping for clearer skies. Weather forecasts predict improved conditions on October 17, although thunderstorms are expected around late morning. The rest of the day might remain overcast, suggesting the possibility of another fragmented day. Both the Indian and New Zealand teams are keen to get some playtime, as repeated washouts could significantly diminish the chances of an outright result in the Test match at Bengaluru.
As New Zealand’s tour experience suggests, touring teams can never be certain of the challenges that await, be it the pitch, the opponent, or Mother Nature herself. The recent turn of events in India serves as a stark reminder of how weather can play a pivotal role in sport, bringing unexpected twists to meticulously planned tournaments.
Fans, meanwhile, continue to keep their spirits high, connected by the universal love for cricket – a sport that has the ability to unify disparate emotions and narratives, whether on a sunlit pitch or under gloomy rain clouds. As everyone waits with bated breath, one can only hope that the skies will eventually clear, allowing both teams to showcase their talents on the field they so passionately share.
Amid the disruption, the cricket community remains resilient and hopeful. Much like the showers that have been dancing upon the covers of the cricket ground, the anticipation continues to build, weaving a narrative that adds to the unpredictable charm that is cricket. As the players, umpires, and organizers continue to monitor the weather closely, the enthusiasm never wanes, with everyone eager to witness some competitive cricket.
