Rain threatens to disrupt India vs New Zealand first Test at Chinnaswamy

Rain in Bengaluru is threatening the course of the first India vs New Zealand which is slated to start from October 16, Wednesday. The practice session of India was disrupted by rain early on Tuesday morning, just a day ahead of the match’s schedule. Now, latest updates suggest that heavy rainfall is predicted throughout the 5-day course of the first New Zealand Test. Dense clouds have covered the Chinnaswamy Stadium currently with the incessant rain pushing the Test down the path of abandonment even before the start.

India, high on their thumping 2-0 sweep over Bangladesh will look to keep up their glorious record in home Tests. New Zealand, meanwhile, has much to prove after their shock series defeat to Sri Lanka in the sub-continent recently. Both the teams will lock horns in the three-match India vs New Zealand Tests with much on the stakes. However, the opening clash at Chinnaswamy Stadium faces a daunting prospect with rain in Bengaluru causing significant trouble.

Rain scare anticipated to hinder the first India vs New Zealand Test at Chinnaswamy Stadium

Early on Tuesday morning on the eve of the first India vs New Zealand Test, India had to cancel its practice session due to heavy rain at Chinnaswamy. The cancellation was followed by another disappointing weather update regarding the first match schedule. The reports have predicted persistent rainfall on all the 5 days of the first match, indicating the potential abandonment of the opening Test. The India vs New Zealand Test would be the first to be held in Bengaluru after the India vs Sri Lanka match of 2022.

Rain hitting Bengaluru at this time of the year is not news as the city generally observes a wet October. September fared rather dry for the southern city. However, the period from October 14 to 17 is likely to see heavy rainfall. Consequently, the first and second day of the opening India vs Bangladesh Test is facing a 70-90% chance of rain. The IMD’s Bangalore station has already recorded 72mm of rainfall in the first two weeks of October, three times the amount seen in September. Thunderstorm warnings and yellow alerts have been issued across parts of Karnataka, mainly in coastal regions.

The second India vs Bangladesh suffered a similar fate before India clinched a result within just the last two days of the match. However, the delay in the Kanpur Test was partly due to rain and mostly due to the inefficient drainage facility at the venue. Unlike Kanpur, the Bengaluru venue boasts the availability of an excellent drainage system. If the prediction of incessant rain falters then the first match of the India vs New Zealand series can land immediately into action owing to the top-notch facilities at Chinnaswamy. Moreover, with India having proved its mastery in snatching results in adverse situations like the one anticipated, any window provided in Bangalore would be welcome.

What is at stake for the teams in the India vs New Zealand Test?

While India currently sits at the top of the World Test Championship standings, the India vs New Zealand series holds significant weightage. If India manages to complete a series whitewash over the Kiwis, the team can cement its position in the WTC Final for a third consecutive time. The qualification will remove considerable pressure from the team before they head to Australia later this year for the Border Gavaskar Trophy. India will look to claim a hat-trick of series win against Australia at the latter’s home in the five-match Test series. However, the possibility of India fulfilling these aspirations lie on the unhindered proceeding of the Test in Bengaluru against the rain scare.

New Zealand, coming off back-to-back defeats against Sri Lanka, will be eager to bounce back. New Zealand will come to India with the newly-appointed captain of the side. Tim Southee relinquished his leading position following New Zealand’s shocking innings defeat to Sri Lanka in September. Subsequently, Tom Latham gained the leadership of the Kiwis ahead of the India vs New Zealand series. Historically, the Black Caps have struggled in the subcontinent but remain a tricky opponent.

The New Zealand squad, moreover, is likely to be without Kane Williamson in the upcoming Test owing to the batter picking a groin injury during the second Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test. Moreover, the New Zealand squad will also miss the assistance of Ben Sears due to the pacer complaining of knee pain, The 30-year-old uncapped Jacob Duffy has replaced Sears in the squad.