As uncertainty prevailed even though Indian players tested negative, in a dramatic turn of events, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) retracted an initial statement that claimed India had “forfeited” the match. “Due to fears of a further increase in the number of COVID cases inside the camp, India are regrettably unable to field a team,” ECB later said.
While fans initially hoped for postponement owing to high chances of Indian side winning the series, they were riled when forfeit was mentioned. Soon, it left fans in a frenzy online.
However, as both the boards announced that the Test was cancelled, netizens started to share memes capturing their disappointment as they had plans to enjoy the weekend rooting for the Men in Blue.
Everyone figuring about 5th Test on twitter 😛 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/cWJeKo80XR
– DK (inDineshKarthik) September 10, 2021
#EngvInd pic.twitter.com/gF4zW9ajV2
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) September 10, 2021
Every Indian’s after reading about 5th Test #ManchesterTest pic.twitter.com/rP07iqRhqM
— Mr_Snowy_07 (@07Snowy) September 10, 2021
After cancelled fifth test 👇😆😁🤣#ManchesterTest#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/HVccMt3gs0
— Sachin Upadhyay (@sachinupadhyay_) September 10, 2021
#INDvsENG match cancelled
Me: pic.twitter.com/XxFwylJ94R— Angoor Stark 🍇🇮🇳 (@ladywithflaws) September 10, 2021
When you’re waiting for the 5th test and the match gets cancelled. 😡🤦🏻♀️#5thTest #Manchester test #ENGvsIND #BCCI #TeamIndia “5th Test” pic.twitter.com/EJXqWjpr3G
— Pooja D Prasad (@PoojaDPrasad09) September 10, 2021
#ManchesterTest cancelled.
Indian fans right now 👇#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/hqlIalK7X3– Loveneesh Prakash (loveneeshprakas) September 10, 2021
After learning that no play is happening today , Jarvo is like:#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/FyRBt1bExA
– Krishav (@haage_summane) September 10, 2021
Is day of 5th test #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/9lUBbZv2aE
-Lagya- (@gupta96_) September 10, 2021
#ENGvsIND #5thTest #ManchesterTest
News : ENG vs IND 5th Test has been postponed & may get cancelled due to covid-19 !
Cricket Fans to Corona : pic.twitter.com/PH1abozuOL
— Varad Ralegaonkar (@varadr_tistic) September 10, 2021
*5th test cancelled *
Every Indian rn :#BCCI pic.twitter.com/EwasVoLB53— Garima Katiyar🇮🇳 (@_weirdotweets) September 10, 2021
India were 2-1 up in the series heading into the final match but uncertainty prevailed on Thursday after their physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Earlier, head coach Ravi Shastri too had tested positive during the fourth Test and has since been isolating with bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach R Sridhar and physio Nitin Patel.