Rain spoiled the game in more ways than one on the first day of the first Test between India and New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Persistent rain throughout the day resulted in the game being abandoned without a ball being bowled or even a toss taking place on the first day. But even though the rain temporarily stopped, there was another technical problem that further slowed the game. The Hawk-Eye system – crucial to the functioning of the Decision Review System (DRS) – could not be incorporated into the ground due to the rain.

As former Indian cricketer and pundit Saba Karim revealed on air, the Hawk-Eye system can only be implemented and built into the ground once the covers are removed. Due to rain before the game and on the first day, the formatting process could not be carried out. According to Saba Karim, formatting takes about an hour and a half. At no point during the day did the covers remain removed for so long that it was almost impossible for the game to start.

The inability to implement the Hawk-Eye system resulted in the game being canceled early on Day 1. While not much rain is forecast in the late hours of Wednesday, October 16, rain is expected to play spoilsport on Day 2 as well. Accuweather.com forecasts at least two hours of rain at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, October 17.

Saba Karim just made a comment on Jio.

A) Hawk Eye is not ready. Apparently they have to format it a day before the game. Since it rained yesterday, they didn’t have time. Once the covers are removed, it will take 90 to 120 minutes to begin today.

B) The super… pic.twitter.com/wSCbfeH7gb

— Kartik Kannan (@kartik_kannan) October 16, 2024

Rainfall is expected to reach 40%, while cloud cover is expected to remain constant on the second day. In fact, rain is forecast on all five days of the Test match.

India go into the three-match home series as clear favorites and sit comfortably at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. New Zealand, on the other hand, are in sixth place and have never won an away test in the history of the WTC.