India vs New Zealand, 1st Test Match Summary

Well, not a pleasing day by any means for the cricket fans and the cricketers themselves. We hoped for at least some action on this first day, but that has been totally dashed by the inclement weather in Bengaluru. This means, we have lost 3 sessions now, but worry not, folks! 12 sessions of play still remain to be utilized. Now, we keep our fingers crossed for the next day and can only pray that the rain stays away. However, the forecasts do predict otherwise. But, all we can do is stay optimistic. To make up for the lost overs on this first day, the play on Day 2 will begin 15 minutes earlier. Meaning, that the first ball, if the weather permits, will be bowled at 3.45 am GMT, on October 17th, Thursday. Till then, take care, ADIOS!

UPDATE - 9.05 am GMT - It's official! Play on Day 1 has been CALLED OFF! A steady drizzle since early morning kept the players off the field, and as the day progressed, the rain played a frustrating game of hide and seek. Just when it seemed the rain had finally stopped for a longer stretch, it returned, dashing all hopes of any play on the opening day. Additionally, the process of the HawkEye system formatting would take at least an hour and a half after all covers were removed. Even if play had started, there were concerns about how much cricket we could have seen, given the potential for bad light to curtail play early due to the gloomy overhead conditions.

UPDATE - 8.37 am GMT - Now then, the rain has subsided, again! The ground staff are quick to get on the field, and the match officials are also out to inspect the conditions. They’re starting with the main cover, and if the weather holds, we could be edging closer to some play. However, play might not start as soon as we hope. Saba Karim, on air, informs us that the HawkEye system formatting, which needs to be completed before any game starts, hasn’t been done yet due to the pitch being under covers all day yesterday and so far today. This process will take at least an hour and a half after all covers are removed. Saba also estimates that the officials will likely wait for another 30 to 45 minutes before making any decision. Anil Kumble joins in, noting that umpire Paul Reiffel’s facial expressions during the inspection suggest there might still be concerns, particularly with the damp areas surrounding the pitch. TEA has been taken, meaning two sessions have already been washed out.

UPDATE - 8.28 am GMT - Oopsie! In our previous update, we did wonder if it was too early to be optimistic, and now we have the answer. The drizzle has returned, and the ground staff, who had just started to peel off the covers, are now putting them back on. The rain continues to play hide and seek. Meanwhile, over in Multan, Pakistan have been bowled out for 366 in their first innings, and England have begun their reply, sitting at 6/0 after the first over. Expect the English openers to come out firing, so hop over to catch the action, but don’t forget to check back here for any weather improvements in Bengaluru.

UPDATE - 8.18 am GMT - A glimmer of hope, or is it too early to say? But, for now, the RAIN HAS STOPPED and the covers are coming off! But there's a stream of waterlogged on the covers. Also, for the first time today, the two match officiating umpires are out in the middle and are having a chat with the ground staff. We just might get an official update very soon. Fingers crossed! But, Tea is just around the corner, hardly 15 minutes or so left. So, pretty safe to say that the match will only start after Tea. Conditions applied - if only there's no rain or drizzle. Let's hope for the best. Also, the crowd in Chinnaswamy has gotten sparse due to consistent pouring and this positive development just might draw the crowd back to the stadium. Almost 19,000 tickets were sold, as earlier mentioned by Saba Karim on-air.

Given the persistent thick cloud cover, even if the rain stops completely, it's highly unlikely that the overcast conditions will clear. This weather pattern suggests that the playing conditions will heavily favour seam bowling. New Zealand boasts a quartet of seamers in their squad - Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, and William O'Rourke. In contrast, India's pace options are more limited, with only Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash Deep as their frontline seamers. For India, the inclusion of spin duo Ashwin and Jadeja in the playing XI seems certain. However, considering the seamer-friendly conditions, adding a third spinner to the lineup may not be a prudent strategy.

UPDATE - 7.37 am GMT - Uh, oh! RAIN IS BACK IN BENGALURU, AGAIN! And this time, it's a very steady downpour. So, another delay. The groundstaff had just started to inspect the conditions in the middle and also had a meeting with the match officials, but as of now, there's no activity whatsoever. What is more concerning is, that a threatening band of cloud cover is hovering over the 'Garden City' which might bring more rain. So for now, it's gloomy, muggy and overcast with a drizzle. We play the waiting game, optimistically. Every condition right now isn't permissible for the commencement of the game. Stay tuned for further updates.

UPDATE - 7.12 am GMT - Great news! The rain has finally stopped. The weather was anticipated to improve in the second session, and this could be the turnaround we've all been hoping for. With the venue's excellent drainage system, it should only take about 45 to 60 minutes to get the field ready for play. However, it’s still quite gloomy as the ground staff hover around the outfield. Let's keep our fingers crossed for no more rain.

UPDATE - 6.47 am GMT - Well, as per the schedule, the post-Lunch session should have started by now. But, that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon. There's still a consistent drizzle in Bengaluru and we are in for more delay. But, the rain hasn't stopped the staunch cricket fans from turning up in the stadium. There's a fair bit of a crowd present, eagerly awaiting the commencement of the game. Stay tuned for further updates. 

UPDATE - 6.01 am GMT - With the rain showing no signs of relenting, an early LUNCH has been taken. Saba Karim, at the venue and holding an umbrella, brings us a glimmer of hope. He mentions that while the drizzle is steady, it has started to brighten up a bit. However, Anil Kumble offers a contrasting view, suggesting that the drizzle has settled in and may not relent anytime soon. Let's keep our fingers crossed for a turnaround when we return after Lunch.

The weather around the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is expected to be challenging for cricket over the next two days. On Day 2, afternoon showers are likely to disrupt play, with heavy rain predicted during the second session, potentially leading to significant delays. However, the forecast for Day 3 looks more promising, with a chance for uninterrupted play throughout the day. Although overcast conditions may prevail, the absence of rain could allow the match to progress without further weather-related interruptions, offering hope for a full day’s play. While it is predicted that the weather will improve over the weekend, on days four and five of the Test, some rain is still expected as per the Indian Meteorological Department. So it is undoubtedly going to be a start-stop kind of Test.

UPDATE - 5.28 am GMT - A glimmer of hope emerged as the rain had completely stopped not too long ago, but our joy was short-lived as the drizzle returned. The waiting game continues!

There's another exciting series in progress in the subcontinent. West Indies and Sri Lanka are currently battling it out in a 3-match T20I series. The first T20I was convincingly won by the tourists, but it now stands even-stevens as Sri Lanka bounced back very strongly and ran through their opponents in the 2nd T20I. Dambulla remains to be the exclusive venue for this T20I series before they head to Pallekele for the ODI series. Both teams are evenly matched and it has come down to a decider. Notably, West Indies are without the services of their marquee players like Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Andre Russell, but have got enough firepower in the ranks to challenge any opposition. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, under the leadership of Charith Asalanka will aim to take the home advantage and seal the series. The 3rd T20I is scheduled to be played on October 17th at 1.30 pm GMT.

UPDATE - 5.01 am GMT - Some positive news from Bengaluru! The rain has eased to a light drizzle, but there is still no activity on the ground. The ground staff are on standby, waiting for the rain to stop completely before they can commence their work. Meanwhile, down in Multan, Day 2 has begun with Pakistan resuming their innings at 259/5. You can switch tabs to follow all the action there, but make sure to keep an eye on the situation here as we await clearer skies.

As the waiting game continues in Bengaluru, let's hop over to Multan, where Day 2 of the second Test between Pakistan and England is about to begin shortly. Here’s a quick recap of what unfolded on the opening day. The standout performance came from debutant Kamran Ghulam, who scored a brilliant century, rescuing Pakistan after they found themselves in a spot of trouble early on. However, a couple of wickets in the third session meant that the honours were evenly split at the end of the first day. With the new ball now 10 overs old and expected early morning assistance, England will be hoping to run through Pakistan's lower order.

UPDATE - 4.30 am GMT - The rain continues to fall steadily in Bengaluru, and the covers remain firmly in place. Live visuals show Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, along with Indian batting coach Abhishek Nayar, heading to the indoor practice area. New Zealand’s luck with the weather in India this year hasn’t been great. The last time they were here for a one-off Test against Afghanistan, the match was abandoned without a single ball being bowled. Let’s hope the weather improves so we can get this much-anticipated series underway. Stay tuned for more updates.

While we wait for the rain to relent here, let’s take a quick look at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 as the tournament heads to the knockout stage! It’s been an exciting tournament, to say the least. Especially with the West Indies Women surprising everyone by defeating the favourites from Group B, England Women, to secure their spot in the knockouts the other night. Now we have our final four - Australia Women and New Zealand Women from Group A, and West Indies Women and South Africa Women from Group B. The first semifinal is set for October 17 at the Dubai International Stadium, where Australia Women, the Group A toppers, will take on South Africa Women, the Group B runners-up at 2 pm GMT. Then, on October 18, Sharjah will host the second semifinal, featuring West Indies Women, the Group B toppers against New Zealand Women, the Group A runners-up, also at 2 pm GMT. It’s shaping up to be an exciting finish!

UPDATE - 3.46 am GMT - Saba Karim is at the venue, holding an umbrella and reporting that the picture looks bleak at the moment. There has been a persistent drizzle since early morning, and unfortunately, it seems to be getting heavier. He further adds that not all of the outfield is covered, only the playing surface and the square, but that shouldn't be a major issue for the outfield once the rain stops. Mentions that Bengaluru’s excellent drainage system means we can expect a quick turnaround once the weather clears.

UPDATE - 3.29 am GMT - The official word is in! The toss has been delayed due to rain. On a positive note, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium boasts one of the best drainage systems in India, and as per Anil Kumble, on air, once the rain stops, it should take no more than 45 minutes for the ground staff to get the field ready for play. Let's hope the rain subsides soon. 

UPDATE - 3.11 am GMT - Uh oh! A dampener first up. It's currently raining steadily at the venue, and it has been the case since early morning. The covers are firmly in place, and unfortunately, we may have a delayed start to the series opener. No official word yet. Let's hope for the best. Stay tuned for further updates!

If the conditions stay overcast, as they seem likely to, the pacers will undoubtedly have a significant role to play, which works in the visitors' favour, given it's their strong suit. Historically, the Indian batters have shown vulnerability against the moving ball, and New Zealand will look to exploit that to put them on the back foot. However, the Kiwi batters themselves struggled against spin in Sri Lanka, and how they handle India's spinners will be pivotal to their fortunes in this series. All in all, it’s a crucial series for both sides, and we’re in for a crackerjack of a contest. Stick around for the toss and team news!

The twin defeats against Sri Lanka have significantly dented New Zealand's hopes of making it to the World Test Championship final. After this series, they will return home to host England for a crucial three-match series. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma and his team, currently sitting atop the WTC standings, will be aiming to win all three Tests to solidify their chances of reaching the final before heading to Australia later in the year for a challenging five-match Test series.

On the other hand, the Kiwis are coming off a 2-0 drubbing in Sri Lanka and now face an even tougher challenge here in India. They will have to navigate this test without arguably their best batter, Kane Williamson, who is set to miss at least the first Test due to a groin strain. With Tim Southee stepping down as Test captain after the Sri Lanka series, New Zealand will be hoping for a change in fortune under the leadership of Tom Latham.

India undoubtedly start as favourites, as is often the case in home conditions. They have not lost a Test series at home since 2012, and New Zealand's last Test victory on Indian soil came 36 years ago, in 1988. Whether with bat or ball, the hosts appear to have all bases covered to thrive in these conditions. Their recent victory against Bangladesh in Kanpur, where they managed to secure a win despite two days being washed out, would have only further boosted their confidence.

Hello, one and all, from Bengaluru for the start of the much-anticipated Test series between India and New Zealand! We are at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium for the first Test before the caravan moves to Pune and then Mumbai for the next two matches. A rain threat looms large over this clash, with showers expected to make an appearance over all five days. How much this will affect play remains to be seen.

... MATCH DAY ...

The much-anticipated Test series between India and New Zealand is here, and it’s set to be a thriller, with both teams eyeing a spot in the 2025 World Test Championship final. India has been riding high, dominating Bangladesh in the recent T20I series and sweeping aside their neighbors in a 2-0 Test win as well. Now, with a largely unchanged squad, the Men in Blue are ready to bring the heat at home once again. India’s batting line-up is in red-hot form, especially young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been smashing records left and right with over 900 runs at an average above 60 in 2024. While Shubman Gill has been a bit inconsistent, his recent ton will give him confidence heading into this crucial series. At the top, Rohit Sharma continues to play selflessly, putting pressure on bowlers from ball one. And of course, having Virat Kohli in the middle is a blessing for any team. He’s hungry to rediscover his best and what better way to do that than against a solid outfit like the Kiwis? Rishabh Pant, as always, will look to thrill with his fearless style, and with KL Rahul further bolstering the middle order, India’s batting has depth. The real X-factor, though, is the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. On Indian pitches, these two are unstoppable, and New Zealand knows it. They tore apart Bangladesh, but even had to dig deep with the bat when the top order faltered in the last series. Ashwin's century on his home ground showcased just how vital he is to this team. And then there’s Jasprit Bumrah. The man is simply lethal, picking up wickets at will across all formats. His pace and precision will be a nightmare for the Kiwis, who also have to contend with solid support from Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj. If India opts for an extra spinner, Kuldeep Yadav is ready to step in. New Zealand, meanwhile, is facing an uphill battle. Fresh off a 2-0 series loss to Sri Lanka, things aren’t looking great for the Kiwis, and missing their talismanic batter Kane Williamson only adds to the pressure. Tom Latham, in his first series as Test captain, will have a mountain to climb in sub-continent conditions. New Zealand’s weakness against spin was brutally exposed in Sri Lanka, and India’s spinners are on another level. Rachin Ravindra will be key for them, having shown his grit before in the last tour here saving a Test. He was also the only batter who scored freely against the Lankans. The likes of Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips will need to step up big time and they bring in that aggressive approach in that middle order. On the bowling front, Ajaz Patel is their biggest hope. He took 17 wickets on his last tour of India, but can he repeat that magic? Tim Southee fresh from giving up the leadership role and the emerging William O'Rourke will need to find firepower to rattle India’s batting. With the hosts needing just three wins from their last eight matches to book a spot in the WTC final, they are in a strong position. New Zealand, however, has a much tougher path, needing to win all six of their remaining games. The odds are against the Kiwis, but Test cricket has a way of delivering surprises. Can India continue their dominance at home? Or will the Kiwis pull off a stunning upset? Buckle up, because this is going to be an epic battle!