Relentless rain in Bengaluru forced the cancellation of India’s training session ahead of the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Originally scheduled for 9:30 am, the session was postponed by an hour before being completely called off due to persistent downpours.
New Zealand managed to hold their session indoors at the BCCI’s National Cricket Academy, located within the Chinnaswamy premises, at 1:30 pm.
The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted continuous rainfall throughout the week, with a 70%-90% chance of rain on the first two days of the Test. A yellow alert has been issued across several parts of Karnataka, raising concerns about the match’s continuity.
Bengaluru has been experiencing heavy rainfall for the past week. Although both teams completed their practice sessions on Monday, conditions worsened overnight and into Tuesday morning. The stadium covers remained in place as intermittent rainfall made any outdoor activity impossible. Brief clearing at 1 pm allowed some movement of the covers, but rain resumed shortly after.
Despite the wet conditions, Chinnaswamy Stadium boasts a state-of-the-art subsurface aeration and drainage system, ensuring the outfield remains playable soon after rain stops. This contrasts with the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh two weeks ago, where a soggy outfield caused significant delays despite favorable weather.
India, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma, inspected the pitch on Monday, engaging in a detailed discussion with the curator. The team enters this series on the back of a 2-0 victory over Bangladesh, while New Zealand aims to recover from their 2-0 loss in Sri Lanka.
India currently leads the World Test Championship (WTC) standings and seeks a 3-0 series win to solidify their chances for a third consecutive WTC final. New Zealand, placed sixth, still has an outside shot at qualification.
The rain threat looms large over the Test, adding an extra layer of challenge for both teams.
Updated on 15th Oct, 2024