First WTC 2021-23 cycle match ends in a draw after rain washes play on the final

INN/Kolkata, @Infodeaofficial

The first England vs India Test match between at the Trent Bridge was poised for an exciting finish with both teams having their moments, but it was India, who had the upper hand ahead at the end of fourth day’s play. Team India needed 157 runs to win with nine wickets in hand with KL Rahul, the top-scorer in the first innings, was already back to the stands.

To start with, it was up to Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara to guide India off to a win. With the ball seaming around, the English bowlers would have fancied their chances as well. However, amidst all the excitement and thrill around the last day’s play, the weather gods had other plans. Not a single delivery was bowled on day 5 as rain ended up playing spoilsport.

Due to rain, the first match of the 2021-23 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle ended in a draw. At around 15:30 local time, it stopped raining, but 15 minutes later, the heavens again opened up. A while later at 15:50 local time, the match officials threw in their towel. The groundsmen tried their hearts out, but the match had to be abandoned, leading to an anti-climax.