The opening day of the first Test between India and New Zealand at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was completely washed out due to persistent rain. The match was officially called off around 2:30 PM on Wednesday.
Intermittent spells of light and heavy rain throughout the day left the ground too wet for play, even rendering the advanced Sub-Air system, which can absorb up to 10,000 litres of water per minute, ineffective. The toss has now been rescheduled for 8:45 AM on Thursday, with play expected to begin at 9:15 AM, weather permitting.
When the rain subsided briefly after the day’s cancellation, ground staff removed the covers for the first time to carry out technical work that could have delayed play the next morning. Wet patches on the field were treated with some grass, and India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, came out to inspect the pitch himself.
More rain is expected throughout the day in Bengaluru, which is already under an Orange Alert. Schools have been shut, and office workers have been advised to work from home.
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