• By Manik Sharma
  • Sun, 22 Oct 2023 07:49 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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While rain and bad light are the usual culprits causing match interruptions, cricket has witnessed some rather unusual halt today at the enchanting Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.

During the group match between India and New Zealand, play was halted due to foggy conditions . This picturesque venue nestled amidst the mountains is often hailed as one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world.

In the 16th over of the match by Lockie Ferguson, the weather conditions worsened considerably, with low-hanging clouds and mist enveloping the entire ground. New Zealand players were displeased with the situation, engaging in a discussion with the umpires. 

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Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer joined the conversation later, and eventually left the field after the game had to be stopped due to 'Inclement Weather.' The two umpires waited in the middle, and after a 15 minutes break the game finally restrated. 

Earlier, India won the toss and put New Zealand to bat first in the swinging track. New Zealand posted a total of 273 runs, thanks to the fifth ODI century by Daryl Mitchell. Mohammed Shami emerged as the pick of the bowlers for India, taking a five-wicket haul in his first game of the ODI World Cup 2023.

Along with the weather, the subpar condition of the HPCA stadium outfield once again took the spotlight as many Indian players refrained from sliding to prevent potential injuries during their World Cup match against New Zealand on Sunday.

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Early in the New Zealand innings, India's captain, Rohit Sharma, made a sliding effort that resulted in a minor injury to his little finger, necessitating a brief exit from the field for treatment. He later returned to lead the team.

In the 35th over, Jasprit Bumrah chose not to dive at the fine-leg boundary while chasing the ball, conceding a boundary to New Zealand skipper Tom Latham.

The HPCA stadium's outfield has faced ongoing criticism, with England's captain, Jos Buttler, describing it as "poor" before their World Cup match against Bangladesh. Buttler's assessment echoed concerns previously voiced by Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott regarding the venue's outfield after their match against Bangladesh.

Weather-induced interruptions can be particularly frustrating in limited-overs cricket. South Africa can attest to this, with vivid memories of the infamous "22-runs-in-one-ball" episode. 

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