It was supposed to be a thrilling Saturday night at Eden Gardens. Kolkata Knight Riders, chasing a stiff target of 201 set by Punjab Kings, had just begun their innings with Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz taking guard. But barely an over into the second innings, nature had its own plans — and a dramatic one at that.
Just 10 minutes into KKR’s chase, the Kolkata sky turned a haunting shade of greyish-yellow. Dust from a sudden storm swept across the stadium. A chilly breeze, oddly welcome on an otherwise hot and humid night, came gusting in from the corner of the Jhulan Goswami Stand. Within seconds, visibility worsened; fans in the stands covered their noses and eyes. The umpires had seen enough — play was halted at 7 for no loss after one over.
Chaos unfolded on the field as the groundsmen scrambled to cover the pitch. But the wind was too strong. One of the covers lifted off like a parachute, slipping away from the two helpless groundsmen clinging to it. Initially, a light drizzle teased the crowd into believing it might be just a passing shower. But within minutes, the heavens opened up. It rained heavily, lightning crackled in the sky, and it quickly became clear that a full-fledged storm had arrived.
Inside the stands, confusion reigned. Should the fans wait or should they brave the rain and find a way home? As the clock ticked towards 10:30 PM, no official word had come in. Around 40,000 spectators — a slightly underwhelming crowd for a Saturday night, perhaps owing to the muggy weather and KKR’s shaky season — were trapped under the sheds where food stalls operated.
Burgers and pizzas sold out in no time. Only water pouches remained as families, kids, and elderly fans huddled together, contemplating their next move. Some chose to fight the rain and leave. One fan sighed, “It usually takes me two hours to reach home; today, who knows?”
In the midst of the wait, Punjab Kings’ co-owner Preity Zinta added a moment of cheer. She leaned over from the box and took a few selfies with the fans gathered just below, drawing cheers and bringing a few smiles despite the gloom.
Finally, around 11 PM, after more than an hour of waiting and wondering, the announcement came: Match abandoned. Almost ironically, just minutes after the declaration, the rain began to slow down and eventually stopped altogether.
The scene outside Eden Gardens was straight out of a monsoon drama. Fans waded through muddy fields towards the Maidan parking lot. Others trudged along in the damp night towards bus stops or searched for cabs to get back home.
It was the kind of night that left no victors, no vanquished — only memories. The points were shared between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, but the true winner was the storm that stole the stage.
For the fans, it was only a half-show — cricket may have failed them tonight, but nature ensured an unforgettable spectacle. The rainstorm offered temporary respite from Kolkata’s sweltering heat, but it also washed away what could have been a thrilling contest.
Sometimes, no matter how much you plan, nature is the ultimate showstopper.
