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India Practice Session Cancelled Due To Heavy Rain Ahead Of 1st Test Vs New Zealand

IND vs NZ 1st Test [Source: @JassPreet96/X.com]IND vs NZ 1st Test [Source: @JassPreet96/X.com]

Team India’s plans for a much-needed practice session at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru took a hit as the city’s relentless rain disrupted their schedule. The players were initially set to train at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, but cloudy skies and overnight drizzle signalled trouble early on. The situation has raised concerns, with the first Test match against New Zealand set to begin in less than 24 hours. Forecasts predict rain to be a persistent issue throughout the game, especially on Days 1 and 2, with a 70-90% chance of interruptions.

Rather than hitting the ground, Team India chose to stay indoors, sipping tea or coffee while waiting for the rain to ease. With rain still in control, both India and New Zealand shifted to indoor practice sessions. On Monday, similar weather patterns forced the teams to abandon outdoor training, and Tuesday followed the same trend.

The rain-heavy weather in Bengaluru made it impractical for the players to reach the stadium for their planned session. As things stand, the pre-match press conference scheduled for 12:30 PM was the team’s only outdoor engagement for the day.  

Bengaluru Weather Seems Uncooperative 

The wet spell in Bengaluru shows no signs of stopping. A 100% cloud cover with occasional showers has persisted for days. Forecasts suggest that Day 3 of the Test will likely see a 67% chance of rain. Even though the rain might subside slightly on the final two days with only a 25% chance of showers, the match is expected to face several interruptions. These disruptions could pose a significant challenge for both teams as they try to build momentum in this crucial Test

India Vs New Zealand

India, riding high after a 2-0 series win against Bangladesh, will aim to strengthen their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. Securing a clean sweep over New Zealand would bring them closer to qualifying for their third consecutive WTC final, reducing pressure for the upcoming series in Australia. 

On the other side, New Zealand, coming off two disappointing losses to Sri Lanka, will look for redemption. With Tom Latham leading the team after Tim Southee’s exit as captain, the Kiwis are keen to prove themselves, even though conditions in India have historically challenged them.