Internet flooded with memes on Shadab Khan and Virat Kohli as rain once again played spoilsport during the Asia Cup 2023, causing the India vs. Pakistan showdown to be abandoned for the second time. However, amid the frustration of cricket fans, the internet lit up with laughter and camaraderie, courtesy of the viral Kohli-Shadab memes.
The highly anticipated encounter, much like the initial one on September 2, had to be halted due to unfavorable weather conditions. Fortunately, the match has been rescheduled for the Reserve Day, allowing India to continue from their score of 147 for 2 in 24.1 overs. But as raindrops fell, a tempest of humor erupted online, all thanks to the unforgettable Kohli-Shadab memes that took social media by storm.
In the deluge of memes that kept the online buzz alive, it was the Kohli-Shadab memes that truly stole the show, overshadowing everything else. Fans couldn’t resist reliving the moment when arch-rivals Virat Kohli and Shadab Khan displayed camaraderie before their first match. Memes ranged from portraying Kohli’s emotional attachment to Shadab to humorously comparing them to a couple, flooding the micro-blogging site ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
One fan humorously remarked, “Shadab gheela to nai hua ho ga,” sharing a picture of Kohli looking disheartened in the dugout. Another fan joked, “Shadab kahin barish me bheeg ke bemaar na hojae kal bhi tou match ha.” Memes like these kept the spirit of fun and humor alive among fans.
https://twitter.com/papukashmiri1/status/1700854886517387271?s=20
https://twitter.com/pctstan1/status/1700857106398683432?s=20
"kya matlab shadab mere saath pani mein nahi nahaye ga" pic.twitter.com/1INz4AJQxZ
— عثمان (@usmssss) September 10, 2023
ye mausam ki baarish,yeh baarish ka paani,yeh paani ki boondein tujhe hi toh dhoondein pic.twitter.com/JNaZuzsk9s
— Rauftar🇵🇸 (@arubah56) September 10, 2023
These memes were also fueled by Shadab’s admiration for Kohli, as the Pakistani player had previously praised Kohli’s exceptional batting skills. While some fans found this mutual respect between rivals cringe-worthy, it only added more fuel to the meme culture surrounding these two players.
Read more: Pakistan pace star Shaheen says ‘best yet to come’
During the IND vs. PAK clash, the meme craze extended to speculate about the gift Shaheen Afridi had presented to Jasprit Bumrah. Fans couldn’t resist sharing memes, suggesting everything from rompers to other humorous gifts, celebrating this heartwarming gesture.
Despite the rollercoaster ride caused by the rain, these memes served as a lifeline for cricket fans, keeping their spirits high even when the weather conspired against them. The world of cricket may be unpredictable, but the world of cricket memes? That’s a league of its own.
The official announcement came on Sunday, confirming the match’s abandonment due to rain. Play will resume on Monday, with India continuing their innings at 147-2 after 24.1 overs. Rain in Colombo, Sri Lanka, may have interrupted the game, but the memes ensured that cricket fans found reasons to smile amidst the weather-induced disappointment.