Cricket

Rain Washes Out Historic Test Matches: A Look Back at Abandoned EncountersIn the annals of cricket history, there are matches that stand out for their thrilling contests, record-breaking performances, and unforgettable moments. However, there are also those that are remembered for a different reason: being abandoned due to inclement weather.One such match was the Dunedin Test during India's tour of New Zealand in 1998-99. The first Test of the series was scheduled to be played at Carisbrook, Dunedin, but rain and wet conditions prevented any play throughout the five days. The toss never took place, and the match was called off without a single ball being bowled.A similar fate befell the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground on the outskirts of Delhi. Rain and wet conditions again prevented even the toss from happening, leading to the abandonment of the match.The Greater Noida stadium has been Afghanistan's adopted home for their 'home' series in recent years. The match against Bangladesh was the eighth Test in history that didn't see even a single ball being bowled, and the first in 26 years since the India vs New Zealand game in December 1998.Here is a complete list of the eight abandoned Tests in history:1. England vs Australia - Old Trafford - 18902. England vs Australia - Old Trafford -19383. Australia vs England- Melbourne- 1970-714. New Zealand vs Pakistan - Dunedin - 1988-895. West Indies vs England - Georgetown, Guyana - 1989-906. Pakistan vs Zimbabwe - Faisalabad - 1998-997. New Zealand vs India - Dunedin- 1998-998. Afghanistan vs New Zealand - Greater Noida - 2024These abandoned matches serve as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the weather and its impact on even the most anticipated sporting events. While fans may be disappointed when a match is called off, the safety of the players and the integrity of the game must always come first.

Virat Kohli's illustrious career reached its zenith with the addition of the elusive ICC T20 World Cup title to his trophy cabinet. Having already conquered the ODI World Cup (2011), Champions Trophy (2013), and U19 World Cup (2008), Kohli's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup marked a historic milestone.Despite facing scrutiny over his place in India's T20 team, Kohli silenced his critics with a match-winning half-century against South Africa in the final. His gritty 59-ball 76 propelled India to a competitive total of 176, which Rohit Sharma's men defended resolutely.Kohli's achievement is unparalleled in the annals of cricket. He became the first player to win all four major ICC white-ball trophies: the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and U19 World Cup. Even the legendary MS Dhoni, who holds all three ICC white-ball titles, did not manage to win the U19 World Cup.By adding the T20 World Cup trophy to his collection, Kohli joined Yuvraj Singh as the only players to have won all four ICC white-ball titles. However, Kohli's accomplishment is unique as he secured victory in all four titles, while Yuvraj shared the Champions Trophy in 2002.The only trophy missing from Kohli's collection is the Test Championship. He has been a part of two ICC Test Championship finals but has suffered defeats on both occasions. The talismanic batter will undoubtedly aim to complete his cricket legacy by winning the WTC title while donning the Team India whites.Kohli's T20 World Cup triumph is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing criticism and doubts, he rose to the occasion and delivered a match-winning performance. His achievement is a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers and a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.