The covered pitch of the M Chinnaswamy stadium.
Credit: DH Photo/S K Dinesh
Bengaluru: Rain delayed the start of the final day of India's opening test against New Zealand on Sunday, with the hosts desperate to avoid their first defeat by the Black Caps at home since 1988.
Needing 107 to seal a memorable victory and humble India again after dismissing them for 46 and making 402 in reply, New Zealand had yet to score when rain forced play to be called off early on Saturday evening after four balls were bowled.
India were bowled out for 462 in their second innings on the fourth day of the rain-hit match in which the opening day's play was washed out without a ball being bowled.
New Zealand's new permanent skipper Tom Latham and fellow opener Devon Conway will resume their innings should the weather clear up later.
The series, which also features matches in Pune and Mumbai, is part of the World Test Championship. India began the series looking for a big series win over the 2021 winners to improve their chances of making a third straight final in June 2025.
Rohit Sharma's India are also seeking their 19th straight series win on home soil since a 2-1 defeat by England in 2012.