Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb. They were playin…

The correct answer is Option (1) → started

Past continuous with simple past:

• The past continuous (was/were + verb-ing) shows a longer action that was going on in the past.
• The simple past shows a short action that came in the middle of it.
• They were in the middle of a game of cricket.
• Then, at one point, the rain began.
• So the short action takes the simple past started.
• Clue word: "when" with "were playing" shows that one action broke into another that was going on.
• Complete sentence: They were playing cricket when it started raining.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect?

Option 2: had started — Incorrect.

• "Had started" is the past perfect.
• It shows an action finished before another past action.
• Here the rain came during the game, not before it.
• Example: The film had started before we reached the hall.

Option 3: was starting — Incorrect.

• "Was starting" is the past continuous.
• The start of rain is a short action at one point, so it does not take the continuous form here.
• Example: The guests arrived just as the puja was starting.

Option 4: will start — Incorrect.

• "Will start" is the simple future.
• The game was in the past, so the rain also belongs to the past.
• Example: The new session will start in July.