India vs New Zealand 1st Test, Day 2 Weather Report: Will Bengaluru Rain Play Spoilsport Again?
India vs New Zealand 1st Test Day Weather Report As Rain Looms In Bengaluru
Photo : AP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
India are playing New Zealand in Bengaluru
The first day of play was washed out
India need a win to stay safe in the WTC final qualification race
The India-New Zealand Test series got off to a damp start as the first day of play in the series opener at Bengaluru on Wednesday (October 16) was washed out due to rain. A constant drizzle throughout the day ensured that the groundstaff could not dry the ground in time.
According to former India cricketer Saba Karim on Jio Cinema, the Hawk-Eye system was yet to be formatted on the ground which was not possible on the eve of the game due to rain. The process will take 90 minutes which made it almost impossible for any play on Day 1 once the first two sessions were washed out.
The match has been reduced to a four-day game which will put extra pressure on the home team as they will want to win all three games in this series in order to be safe in the race to reach the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) final before taking the flight to Australia for a blockbuster 5-match Test series.
India vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 2- Bengaluru Weather Report
Unfortunately, the weather report makes for grim reading for the second day (Thursday, October 17) and both India and New Zealand will be at the mercy of the rain gods to kickstart the match. According to weather.com, the forecast is for no rain at 9:30 AM but the chances go up to 34% at 10:30 AM which could mean the first session is impacted.
The weather report for the second session is much better with only 9% rain predicted at 12:30 PM but there is rain predicted from 1:30 to 2:30 PM IST. The chances of rain are highest (46%) at 4:30 PM IST which will during the final hour of the day.
Bengaluru Weather Forecast - 17th October
Source: Weather.Com
Talking about the match, the toss is yet to happen, which gives both teams a chance to change their combination. India were expected to play three spinners, but the cloudy weather could mean they opt for three pacers once again.
As far as New Zealand is concerned, this will be Tom Latham's first game in charge of the team since his appointment as full-time captain in Test cricket. Meanwhile, Kane Williamson is absent due to a groin injury.
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.
