The first Test between India and New Zealand is all set to be played from tomorrow (October 16) at the M Chinnasamy Stadium in Bengaluru. However, things are not looking great from the weather perspective. It has been raining cats and dogs in Bengaluru since Monday (October 14) night and it hasn't stopped even in the morning cancelling India's training session.
The practice session was earlier scheduled to get underway at 9:30 AM IST and was postponed by one hour before cancelling altogether with rain not stopping at all. The pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium is under the covers even as New Zealand's training session, scheduled at 1:30 PM, is also likely to be affected. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted massive rains for the rest of the week as well.
There is a 70% to 90% chance of rain on the first two days of the Test. Moreover, a yellow alert has also been issued across the majority of Karnataka including Bengaluru.
There is a serious chance of the Test match ending in a draw in Bengaluru as the rain is unlikely to relent even on the last three days of the Test match.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru boasts a world-class drainage system. The venue has a subsurface aeration system installed which helps in starting the play minutes after the rain stops. This means, we might witness some play over the next five days if the rain relents for long enough for the superior facility to do its job.
As for India, they are coming off a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh that stretched their home dominance in Tests. New Zealand, meanwhile, lost away series to Sri Lanka 2-0 and do not boast of a great record in India having not won a single Test here since 1988. Their key pacer Ben Sears has been ruled out of the series while former captain Kane Williamson is also set to miss at least the first Test due to injury.
