New Delhi: The start of the first Test between India and New Zealand has been delayed due to heavy downpour at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
The day 1 play was called off at 2.34 PM as heavy rain lashed stadium after relenting for about half an hour earlier. The match officials came out to inspect the pitch around 2 PM after outfield and first layer of covers were removed around 1.50 PM.
Hello from Bengaluru 👋
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 16, 2024
Toss for the 1st #INDvNZ Test has been delayed due to rain.
Stay tuned for further updates.#TeamIndia | @IDFCFIRSTBank
But there were large damp areas on either side of the pitch as hessians were brought out in a last-ditch attempt to get some game time. However, it was a futile effort as extensive damage was already done by rains of varying intensity from early morning.
Earlier, even the toss, which was scheduled at 9 AM, could not take place as rain came down relentlessly over the city from morning. There was a smattering of spectators at the stadium despite the inclement weather. But the only moment of excitement for them was the sighting of star batter Virat Kohli and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who went for an indoor net session along with assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.
It's still raining here in Bengaluru 🌧️
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 16, 2024
The wait continues ⏳
The first session has unfortunately been washed out.
Match Centre - https://t.co/FS97Llv5uq#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/BUDWJ8Mw1v
They might have to wait further for action even on the second day as the current forecast is for more rain on Thursday at least till noon.
It may be recalled that even the training sessions of both teams were washed away by heavy downpour on Tuesday. Play on day two is scheduled at 9.15 am and toss at 8.45 am.
🚨 Update from Bengaluru 🚨
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 16, 2024
Day 1 of the 1st #INDvNZ Test has been called off due to rain.
Toss to take place at 8:45 AM IST on Day 2
Start of Play: 9:15 AM IST #TeamIndia | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/RzmBvduPqr
India's squad for the three Tests against New Zealand: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
Travelling reserves: Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mayank Yadav and Prasidh Krishna.
New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young. (With agency inputs)
