Rain has played spoilsport on Day 1 of the much-awaited final of the inaugural World Test Championship between India and New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. While the players wait for some clarity on the match, social media is abuzz with memes and jokes about the title clash.
Former English skipper, Michael Vaughan has considered it as an opportunity to take a dig at the Indian team with a weather joke. Teasing the Indian team, Michael Vaughan tweeted: “I see India have been saved by the weather.”
I see India have been saved by the weather …. 😜 #WorldTestChampionship
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 18, 2021
Team India’s journey to reach the ICC WTC final had filled with a lot of ups and downs. They defeated Australia and England to book their berth in the final. When Vaughan trolled the Indian team, fans roasted the former England captain on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Wasim Jaffer once again came to India’s defense and posted an epic meme. Former Indian opener uploaded the picture along with the caption that reads: “Meanwhile rest of the teams watching the #WTCFinals #ifyouknowyouknow (Winking face with tongue emoji).”
Meanwhile rest of the teams watching the #WTCFinals #iykyk 😜 https://t.co/MchOGlM2Ja pic.twitter.com/JBbMJcr1fU
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 18, 2021
Vaughan immediately faced criticism from the Indian supporters. “I see ur prediction saved by weather,” shot back one user. “Just like England got WC by boundaries,” wrote another. “Joke of the century …..keep it up man,” quipped another user.
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There were several other tweets and memes that followed in response to Vaughan’s tweet.
https://twitter.com/sunny39054087/status/1405839224742416384?s=20
England had been saved in the WC by Umpires and boundary count lmaoo.
— Jay. (@peak_Ability14) June 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/BharatC21085526/status/1405841195868123139?s=20
Who would know better than England.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) June 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/EntropyPositive/status/1405840088722919424?s=20
The toss was delayed due to the rain as well, and it was announced that there would be no play in the first session in Southampton. However, there has been no rain since the 1:00 pm local time now. According to the weather forecast, there are very slim chances of play happening on the first day of the Test championship final.
Earlier, India’s spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin shared the view of Ageas Bowl as it continued raining. “The camera also has a raincoat,” wrote Ashwin on Instagram while sharing a video of the ground. His wife Prithi Narayanan also took to Twitter to share the video of the ground and wrote, “Pouring down #WTCFinal.”
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Team India are going into the WTC final with just a few practice sessions and an intra-squad match under their belt while New Zealand are fresh from a Test series win over hosts England.
India’s playing XI for WTC final: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami
