India vs New Zealand highlights, 1st Test: IND vs NZ, Day 1 called off due to rain in Bengaluru

Toss to take place at 8:45 AM IST on Day 2 and play to start at 9:15 AM IST. 

Dhruva is reporting the day has been officially called off. 

It was getting darker, and the covers were in place. We all saw it coming. 

“The bare patches on the main square have been covered with more carpets and the main cover is firmly back on. A slight drizzle returns too,” Dhruva Prasad informs. 

And there goes that! Just as things looked upbeat, a light drizzle is back. The covers are being nailed back into place.

We’re looking at the second session being washed out too. 

The covers in the outfield were taken off and they revealed a few puddles. The main square remains under wraps for now. 

Looks like the rain has stopped! 

The drizzle only made a brief appearance. No rain again.

We are back with some news and it’s not good. Drizzle is back so the wait continues. 

Well... Rain has stopped but it is gloomy again. 

We have good news! Dhruva Prasad says the rain has stopped and officials are having a chat with the curator. 

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There’s no update. Rain continues and so does the wait. 

And it’s confirmed! The first session has been washed out. The light drizzle continues forcing the covers to stay on. 

Predictions are for a better afternoon with the skies clearing up a bit. For now, it is LUNCH.

Drizzle continues...

“Still drizzling, covers are on,” says Dhruva Prasad. 

Who do you think should sub in for Rohit for BGT opening Test? If you’ve heard Abhimanyu Easwaran in multiple places and want to know more about him, read here:

Ranji Trophy: Going through a purple patch, Abhimanyu Easwaran focuses on the present amidst India call-up buzz

Since 2021, Easwaran has been the top-scoring Indian opener in First-Class (FC) cricket, amassing 2,947 runs in 32 matches at an impressive average of 61.39 as of October 8, 2024. 

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tom Latham(c), Will Young, Kane Williamson*, Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Tom Blundell(w), Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Ajaz Patel, William ORourke

(*Williamson unavailable for first Test)

India has been on a roll, crushing Bangladesh at Kanpur earlier this month in two days. While Ravindra acknowledged its might but added that New Zealand was not far behind.

IND vs NZ, 1st Test: Rachin Ravindra gives update on Williamson’s availability, gears up for Test on Indian soil

India has been on a roll, crushing Bangladesh at Kanpur earlier this month in two days. Ravindra acknowledged its might but added that New Zealand was not far behind.

Assistant coach Abhishek Nayar is taking a look at the ground. Looks like they will be shifting their practice session to the indoor facilities. 

Some Indian team members, including Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal, have arrived at the venue. - Dhruva Prasad

Some spectators have also been spotted at the stadium.

“The rain has picked up again a bit here,” our reporter informs.

Latham skippered New Zealand the last time it played Test cricket in India (November 2021 at Mumbai) in the absence of then-captain Kane Williamson, who is set to miss the first Test here due to a groin injury. 

IND vs NZ: Latham embraces captaincy as New Zealand looks to regain form in India Test series

Latham skippered New Zealand the last time it played Test cricket in India (November 2021 at Mumbai) in the absence of then-captain Kane Williamson, who is set to miss the first Test here due to a groin injury. 

“The Indian team didn’t come to the venue at all. The Kiwis came and left,” informs Dhruva Prasad. 

“There’s still a drizzle at the venue. But the rain is supposed to relent between 12 and 3 PM today,” pings Dhruva Prasad

India captain has virtually ruled out Mohammed Shami from the upcoming Test tour of Australia, saying that the pacer’s recovery from an ankle surgery has been hampered by swelling in his knees and it would not be right to take an “undercooked” version of him for the marquee showdown.

India captain Rohit says Shami involvement unlikely against Australia in Border-Gavaskar trophy

Shami last played for India during the ODI World Cup final last year and has been recuperating from ankle surgery after that.

Toss has been officially delayed due to rain. 

Wondering if M. Chinnaswamy Stadium can hold up this much rain? 

Here is something you should read about:

All you need to know about Bengaluru Stadium drainage system as rain threat looms over IND vs NZ 1st Test

While heavy showers lashed the city on the eve of the India vs New Zealand opener, overcast conditions and rain are expected throughout the day, potentially affecting the first day.

“Some good news. The rain has reduced to a light drizzle. But the covers are still on.”

Dhruva Prasad with some good news. 

Rain continues and there’s a good chance we might be heading for a delayed start. 

“The rain gets harder. Looking very bleak,” Dhruva Prasad says.

“With India being unbeaten in a Test against New Zealand at home since 1988 and riding the high of 18 consecutive Test series wins in its backyard, little is likely to change.”

Here’s Dhruva Prasad’s preview of the opening Test. 

IND vs NZ, 1st Test: India looks to continue unbeaten home run against struggling New Zealand as rain threat looms

India versus New Zealand rivalry, if it may be termed so, has more feel to it than a contrived fixture in an ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP) that is bursting at the seams.

“Persistent rain”, pings our reporter in Bengaluru, Dhruva Prasad. 

India vs New Zealand Test series can be streamed live on Jio Cinema and telecast on Sports18 network. The match is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM. 

It rained on and off yesterday till last night. Currently, a few parts of the city are getting showers however the rain is expected to stop around 8 AM. Bengaluru is forecasted to have on and off spells throughout the day with the next coming only around 11 AM; if it stops raining at 8 AM that is. 

Screengrab - Weather Underground

Welcome to the live coverage of the India vs New Zealand first Test match set to be played in Bengaluru. Stay tuned for the live updates.