Rain delayed the start of the first test between India and New Zealand on Wednesday, with inclement weather forecast throughout the week in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru.
The series, which also includes matches at Pune and Mumbai, forms part of the World Test Championship. India will be seeking victory over the 2021 champions to bolster their hopes of a third successive final in June next year.
New Zealand are without batting mainstay Kane Williamson for the opening match following a groin injury picked up during the 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka, while pace bowler Ben Sears was ruled out of the series with a knee injury.
It is also the first assignment for Tom Latham as the new permanent captain of the Black Caps after he took over from Tim Southee earlier this month. Rohit Sharma’s India, fresh from beating Bangladesh 2-0, will now seek to make it a record 19th series win in a row on home soil since that 2-1 defeat by England in 2012.
