1st Test Updates: Day 1 called off due to rain

The first day's play of the first Test between India and New Zealand has been called off without a ball being bowled because of rain, in Bengaluru, on Wednesday.

The toss is yet to take place with the ground under covers since morning because of steady rain through the day.

The pitch and the adjoining square has been under cover for the past three days.

Play starts early at 9.15am IST. with 98 overs scheduled to be bowled.

The weather forecast is not encouraging for the second day on Thursday.

No sooner than the groundstaff started working on removing the covers, the rain is back.

Some of the covers which were being peeled off are being put back in place.

This is turning out to be a frustrating day for the few fans who have stayed back and also the players of the two teams.

The rain has stopped and the covers are being taken off. The umpires Michael Gough and Paul Reiffel are also having a look at the outfield.

If the conditions stay the same without any more rain, then we should have some play on Day 1.

The rain is back at the M Chinnaswamy stadium which means the covers will stay in place.

The weather has gone quite cold as the skies overhead stay overcast.

The changes of play getting underway on Day 1 looking quite bleak.

It has stopped raining at the moment at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

But no activity from the groundstaff yet as the covers on the square stay in place.

There is a lot of dark clouds above and it is unlikely that the groundstaff will look to take off the covers anytime soon.

The entire morning session has been washed out on Day 1 of the first Test in Bengaluru.

The light drizzle still continues at the M Chinnaswamay Stadium.

It remains to be seen if the weather will show any signs of improvement in the afternoon.

It continues to rain at the M Chinnaswamy as chances of play getting underway on the opening day look bleak.

The pitch and the 30-yard circle are under covers at the moment.

The signs are not encouraging as the weather is quite gloomy.

For people asking why the entire outfield is not under covers?

The M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru boasts of the state-of-the-art SubAir drainage system, which automatically kicks into action the minute it starts raining, thereby not allowing any buildup of water on the outfield.

It quickly removes standing water (36 times faster than drainage by gravity!) virtually eliminating the need for extended game delays or cancellations due to wet outfield conditions. 

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), after vigorous research and technical evaluation, decided to install the next-generation subsurface aeration and vacuum-powered drainage system from SubAir, USA at Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2017, making it the first ever installation of SubAir Systems for cricket stadiums worldwide.

The SubAir system ensures that play resumes within 45 minutes once it stops raining.

The toss in the series opener has been delayed because of rain. 

There is a steady drizzle at the moment and the pitch and the adjoining square at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is under covers and it is unlikely that we could have a start anytime soon.

"A wet start to Day 1 in Bengaluru. Heavy rain around M Chinnaswamy Stadium means the toss will be delayed until further notice," said New Zealand Cricket on X.

India skipper Rohit Sharma on Tuesday vindicated Jasprit Bumrah's promotion as the vice-captain for the three-Test series against New Zealand, terming the lead pacer as an integral part of the leadership group who has a lot of "understanding" of the game.

Bumrah's elevation to vice-captaincy for the Test seriesa against New Zealand came as a bit of surprise as India did not have a deputy to Rohit in the recent series against Bangladesh.

The decision has been viewed as a precursor to Bumrah stepping in as India's skipper during the tour to Australia, with Rohit expected to miss the first Test due to personal reasons.

Bumrah had led India in the rescheduled Test against England in 2022 and marshalled the side in the T20I series against Ireland last year.

He understands what is required. When you are in a situation where you need a leader to step up, I think Bumrah will be one of them. So, over the past, he's always been in our leadership group, said Rohit.