The pitch area is covered with plastic sheets in rain ahead of the first Test match between India and New Zealand 2024 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium (KSCA) in Bengaluru on October 15, 2024. | Photo credit: K. Murali Kumar

Rain could disrupt the proceedings of the first India-New Zealand Test, which begins on Wednesday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Heavy rain forced both teams to cancel their training sessions on Tuesday. There will probably be interruptions in the game at least in the first two days of testing.

New Zealand will still be cautious as India recently showed that even a much-shortened encounter cannot halt their march to victory.

Bangladesh learned the hard way, failing in the second Test in Kanpur in two days earlier this month.

Bad balance sheet

The Kiwis have to overcome a particularly poor record in India. The last Test victory on these shores came in Bombay in 1988, inspired by the outstanding shows of John Bracewell and Richard Hadlee. The following 19 Tests resulted in ten defeats and nine draws. To make the task even more difficult, key batsman Kane Williamson will miss the first game with a groin strain. Fast bowler Ben Sears, known for driving batters away from the pitch with extra bounce, is also out injured. His replacement, Otago Volts bowler Jacob Duffy, who is uncapped, will not be able to reach the city in time for the start of the game.

The visitors are expected to rely heavily on spinners Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips and Ajaz Patel to carry the bulk of the load.

A 2-0 defeat against Sri Lanka last month can’t hurt their confidence.

Sits nicely

India, meanwhile, is on a six-match winning streak. A 3-0 win in this series, which guarantees a place in the World Test Championship final, serves as timely motivation.

If India manages to secure early access to the summit, it will significantly ease the pressure when the team travels to Australia for five Tests later this year.

The rain and damp pitch could prompt India to field three pacers in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. The trio are more than capable of hitting their stride in the absence of the injured Mohammed Shami.

Focus on Ashwin, Jadeja

Spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who took 11 and nine wickets respectively in the Bangladesh series, will once again prove to be a handful.

On the batting front, Virat Kohli will welcome the chance to play in his second home. Kohli will fondly remember how he scored 103 and 51 not out against the same opponents at this venue in 2012 to give India a hard-fought victory.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has found form in the Bangladesh Games, is capable of disheartening the opposition in a single session. The young opener received high praise from his captain Rohit Sharma. “The guy has real talent. He can play the game in any conditions. From what he has shown us in this short period of time, you can bet on him and expect him to do wonders for the team. We have found a great player,” Rohit said.

By all accounts, India’s proud home record – their last series defeat was against England in 2012 – will continue.

teams

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav , Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (week), Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, William O “Rourke, Jacob Duffy.

The match will begin at 9:30 am IST.