International cricket has attracted a massive global fan base, and stadiums are often packed with enthusiastic cricket fans whenever a match is played. The recently held T20 World Cup in 2024 showcased the immense popularity of the sport and the level of excitement it generates.
However, another element captured the fans' attention during the tournament: rain. It disrupted some crucial games, highlighting a recurring issue in cricket. Rain has historically had a significant impact on matches, sometimes leading to entire games being abandoned.
For more insights into cricket and related topics, visit Cricket Expert India. In this article, we have compiled a list of 5 matches where rain played a major role in dampening the excitement and enthusiasm of the fans.
1992 World Cup - South Africa vs England
The final of the 1992 World Cup took place between Pakistan and England. However, it could have been South Africa if their semi-final against England hadn't been interrupted by rain. The Proteas needed 22 off 13 balls before the rain interrupted the fixture. The game was delayed by 12 minutes and as the teams made their way back to the field, the tables were turned. The restart of the game was not good for South Africa as they reached the point where the team needed 22 runs of 1 ball. Rains killed the contest completely between the two teams and a chance for South Africa to reach the finals.
2002 Champions Trophy Final - India vs Sri Lanka
Whenever India is on the field facing any team, the sport always gets traction. It is always disappointing to see Team India’s matches getting interrupted by rain. During the 2002 Champions Trophy, India vs Sri Lanka was the final fixture and the two teams had to share the trophy because the match was interrupted by rain. There were two final games and both matches were interrupted by rain. It was unfortunate to see two deserving sharing the most esteemed trophy.
2007 World Cup Final - Australia vs Sri Lanka
The 2007 World Cup final witnessed a disappointing end as the match between Australia and Sri Lanka was interrupted by rain. Australia batted first and scored 281 runs at a loss of 4 wickets and thanks to Adam Gilchrist’s century that helped the team to score a winnable number. When Sri Lanka came to bat the target was reduced to 269 runs in 36 overs due to delay because of rain. The fixture was taking place at the Kennington Oval where the lighting was an issue due to rainfall. The game was shifted to the reserve day and Australia clinched the trophy.
2013 Champions Trophy Final - Australia vs India
The 2013 Champions Trophy Final saw a delay of 6 hours due to rain and the organizers had not planned a reserve day. After a few hours, there were speculations that both teams would be sharing the trophy. However, the fixture did take place but it took place in a T20 format and India won the match by 5 runs.
2017 Champions Trophy - Australia’s Rainy Exit
Australia has always dominated international cricket. They are the team that can’t be defeated easily and will always be seen in the finals of ICC tournaments. In the 2017 Champions Trophy, Australia had to share points with New Zealand and Bangladesh due to the matches getting interrupted by rain. Their third fixture was against England and the team was desperate for a win. However, the team lost the match and the Aussies were eliminated at the group stage itself.
