Islamabad, Mar 19 2025: Astronaut Sunita Williams has safely returned to Earth after an extended space mission that lasted nine months instead of the originally planned eight days.
While space enthusiasts welcome the return of the Indian-American, cricket fans have found an unexpected reason to celebrate.
Williams left for space in June 2024, just after the IPL 2024 final, and made her way back in March 2025—just before the IPL 2025 season begins.
A social media user highlighted this coincidence, leading to a flood of humorous reactions online. Many cricket fans joked that even space could not keep her away from the game.
One user pointed out how Williams had perfectly timed her journey, saying she had not missed an IPL season.
Another remarked that her presence in space might have played a role in recent cricket victories. Some even suggested sending an astronaut into space before every major tournament for good luck.
For those unaware, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore were originally scheduled to return soon after their mission in June 2024.
However, due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, their return was repeatedly delayed. NASA eventually arranged for SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft to bring them back safely.
During her extended stay, Williams and Wilmore covered 121 million miles, spent 286 days in space, and circled Earth 4,576 times.
She conducted two spacewalks, assisting with repairs and scientific tasks. Her total spacewalking time now stands at 62 hours and 6 minutes, making her fourth on the all-time list.
Now back on Earth, Williams’ return has not just excited the space community but also cricket fans who see her as an unintentional but lucky charm for the game.
