Rohit, Rahane Express Happiness Over Resumption Of International Cricket After 4-Month Covid19 Induced Hiatus

"Cricket is back Positive scenes coming out from UK. So good to finally see some cricket being played. Wishing both teams the best. Can’t wait to be out there myself #EngVsWI," tweeted Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma.

Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane (Image: PTI)

There was an atmosphere of positivism and ecstasy among the cricket diaspora around the world as international cricket made a return on Wednesday after a gap of nearly 4 months owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.The first Test between hosts England and West Indies which commenced yesterday at the Ageas Oval in Southampton marked the resumption of the sport amid new guidelines enforced by the ICC to keep the players protected from the corona-virus pandemic. The Eng vs WI Test series opener at Southampton is being played in front of empty stands with cricketers on either sides required to abide by all the necessary precautions laid down by the ICC. In what is being termed as a Bio Secure environment, cricketers are not allowed to apply saliva on the ball, refrain from chest bumbs and shake hands while celebrating a dismissal Leading international cricketers like Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ricky Ponting also expressed their delight, happiness and relief over cricket finally making a return to the international arena and bringing in signs of normalcy to the sport. "Cricket is back Positive scenes coming out from UK. So good to finally see some cricket being played. Wishing both teams the best. Can’t wait to be out there myself #EngVsWI," tweeted Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma.

Cricket is back ????Positive scenes coming out from UK. So good to finally see some cricket being played. Wishing both teams the best. Can’t wait to be out there myself ???? #EngVsWI

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) July 8, 2020

So nice to see that cricket is back!
Good luck to both the teams!
Can’t wait to get back on the field again#ENGvWI

— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) July 8, 2020

Play started after a three-hour delay because of light rain and a wet outfield, and only lasted for three overs before the teams had to go back inside because of another shower. England posted 35 for 1 at stumps after losing Dom Sibley early to West Indies seamer Shannon Gabriel. Earlier in the day England's stand-in captain, Ben Stokes, won the toss and opted to bat under overcast skies.