On the foggy window of the press box, a spectator had taken the opportunity to write 'Rain, Rain go away; Little Veeru wants to play.'
That aptly summed up the mood of everyone present at the M A Chidambaram stadium in Chennai on Monday.
The second Test between India and Australia was beautifully poised at the end of day 4, but heavy overnight rain continued into the morning and washed away all hopes of the match resuming on the final day. Play was officially called off at 1300 hrs IST.
It was a match that had a little for everyone. There were some great knocks and bowling performances before rain played its part.
One can, of course, say that India had their necks just out in front at the end of the fourth day and Australia will undoubtedly be the happier of the teams.
Approximately a thousand spectators sat till the very end staring at the empty, water-logged field, hoping and praying for the rain to subside. But the weather gods had different ideas.
A match that was well on its course to ending up as one the greatest Tests ever will now be remembered as one that could have been.
To summarize the game, Australia won the toss and elected to bat. They scored 235 in the first innings. In reply, Virender Sehwag's 155 helped India reach 376. In the course of the innings, Shane Warne claimed the record for most wickets in Test cricket.
Australia needed to score 141 runs in their second innings to make India bat again. Damien Martyn scored 104 in an innings of rare character and application to ensure that Australia set India a target of 229. Then the rain came.
Second Test: Scorecard
Also read:
Not an easy run chase: Martyn
Patience is the key: Anil Kumble
