The elements throttled a Test match that was heading for a classic finale. For the majority of people in Chennai, the clattering sound of rain against their windowpanes must have been a welcome relief, parched as this land is due to a water shortage. But even they must have wished it had begun falling after the match got over.
It is not hard to believe that India would have been disappointed that the hand of God thwarted their bid to level the series, though the match seemed poised for a close finish. Sourav Ganguly's statement that "There is nothing you can do about it,'' may reflect his stoic approach to life but there is no doubt that he was a disappointed man.
More bad news was to follow. Irfan Pathan is not fit for the Nagpur Test. Why Pathan was not given much bowling in the second innings had mystified most at the ground. The mystery was solved on Monday afternoon, when it was announced that Pathan was suffering from a side strain and it is obviously bad enough for India to decide to rest him for the next Test. Another "unfit man", Ashish Nehra, replaces him in the team.