Guwahati: The desperate attempt by Assam Cricket Association’s (ACA) groundsmen to dry the pitch of Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati after rain water seeped through the covers has now become subject to major humiliation. So much so that netizens from Pakistan, along with the world, are mocking it.
A Twitter user, Najeeb Ul Hasnain, whose bio says he is a sports anchor and analyst, wrote, “Pakistan using two helicopter’s to DRY Qadaffi Stadium Lahore in PSL 3 and look what India is doing in Guhawati, using hair dryer to dry the pitch.”
Pakistan using two helicopter’s to DRY Qadaffi Stadium Lahore in PSL 3 and look what India is doing in Guhawati, using hair dryer to dry the pitch#BCCI #India #IndvSL #PSL5 #Guhawati #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/IWLtuRJtS4
— Najeeb ul Hasnain (@ImNajeebH) January 5, 2020
Likewise, taking a dig, Sri Lanka’s Azzam Ameen, reporter/producer for BBC Sinhala wrote, “The hair dryer and steam iron are being used now to dry the pitch. Sri Lanka should have taken R Premadasa stadium rain covers to India.”
The hair dryer and steam iron are being used now to dry the pitch. Sri Lanka should have taken R Premadasa stadium rain covers to India #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/tQxR50axPL
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) January 5, 2020
On Sunday, after India won the toss and decided to bowl, the first T20I match of the year was called off after rainwater seeped in through the covers after a nominal spell of rain, disappointing a strong crowd of 35,000 fans gathered at the stadium.
The state association resorted to desperate measures like hair dryer, steam iron and vacuum cleaner to rid the 22-yards of damp patches, but in vain.
ACA was slammed for its negligence, and VVS Laxman called it an elementary mistake. While, cricket player turned commentator Aakash Chopra called it a “school-by error”.
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Nonetheless, doing what it does best, social media turned this bizarre incident into a meme material. Many took a light jibe at the incident, while several slammed the irresponsible attitude which led to the embarrassment.
1990: we’ll have flying cars by 2020
2020:#INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/CWncVTwHK8
— Jaqen (@MostlyInsomniac) January 5, 2020
#INDvSL
Mere kuchhh kpde bhi hai…kl office jana hai…press kr Dena Bhai log pic.twitter.com/4LR0Dc5ufP— jitendra Nath Kashyap (@jnkpjjitu) January 5, 2020
No one:
HR department: #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/1GX3gP9RAt
— sir-kid (@ooobhaishab) January 5, 2020
India is setting example again today!!
Steam Iron and hair dryer are being used to dry the pitch on world television.@BCCI have not only put cricket on shame but also they have disappointed the nation.
It’s Shameful.#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/XdEaVriHPa— Pankaj Singh (@pankajkumar764) January 5, 2020