The much-anticipated first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru faced a major setback on Day 1 as persistent rain disrupted play. The entire day passed without a single ball being bowled, and even the toss couldn’t take place. While the rain was the primary reason for the delay, there was an additional technological issue: the hawk-eye system, a crucial component of the Decision Review System (DRS), couldn’t be set up due to the weather conditions.
Rain halts play on India vs New Zealand Day 1
Day 1 of the Test match was a washout, with consistent rain keeping the covers on the pitch. Although there were moments when the rain stopped, it wasn’t enough to resume play. The stadium remained covered for most of the day, preventing any significant action on the field.
However, even if the rain had allowed a window for play, another challenge arose in the form of technology. According to Saba Karim, former India cricketer and now a commentator, the hawk-eye system requires proper formatting on the ground, which is only possible once the covers are removed.
Hawk-Eye System: Key Obstacle
The hawk-eye system, essential for DRS, takes about 90 minutes to calibrate and implement after the covers are off. Unfortunately, the rain on Day 1 meant that the necessary time to format the system was unavailable.
As a result, the lack of functioning hawk-eye technology contributed to the early abandonment of the day’s play. With no sufficient window to format the system, the start of the match was rendered impossible.
More Rain expected on Day 2 in Bengaluru
Looking ahead to Day 2, the weather forecast does not appear promising. According to Accuweather.com, there is a strong chance of rain at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, October 17. Around two hours of rain is expected, with a 40% chance of precipitation. Cloud cover is also expected to persist throughout the day, further complicating the situation for players and officials.
The forecast for the remaining days of the Test match doesn’t offer much hope either. Rain is predicted for all five days, raising concerns that weather could play a dominant role in this fixture.
India favourites despite weather woes
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the weather, India enters the series as firm favourites. Sitting comfortably at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, India are looking to solidify their position with a strong performance against New Zealand. In contrast, the Kiwis find themselves in sixth place and have yet to win an away Test in the WTC.
If the rain and hawk-eye issues persist, it could severely limit play across the five days, leaving fans disappointed and potentially affecting both teams’ chances of securing crucial points in the WTC.
As the teams wait for the skies to clear and the technology to be set up, the second day will reveal whether the weather will cooperate, or if the delays will continue to frustrate players and spectators alike.
