Rain washes out opening day of first India-New Zealand test match

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India’s Virat Kohli looks skywards as he walks across the field after rains delayed the start of the day one of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

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India’s Virat Kohli, center, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, left, walk across the field after rains delayed the start of the day one of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

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India’s Virat Kohli, right, and Yashasvi Jaiswal walk across the field after rains delayed the start of the day one of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

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A groundsman walks past the pitch area covered with plastic sheets after rains delayed the start of the day one of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

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The pitch area is covered with plastic sheets after rains delayed the start of the day one of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

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BENGALURU, India (AP) — Persistent rain did not allow any play on day one of the first test between India and New Zealand on Wednesday at Bengaluru, India.

Heavy rain over the past 48 hours had delayed the toss and officials made the decision to take lunch without a ball being bowled. The entire day’s play was then called in the afternoon after the covers were briefly taken off the pitch.

More rain is expected over the next few days, but the M Chinnaswamy Stadium has world-class drainage facilities and play could start within 45 minutes.

India is currently atop the World Test Championship standings, and a 3-0 win in this series against New Zealand would all but assure its spot for the final at Lord’s next June.

After beating Bangladesh 2-0 in the preceding test series, a full-strength Indian squad was once again available for selection.

New Zealand has already been on a long sub-continental tour. It began with the one-off washed out test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, India, followed by a 2-0 loss in Sri Lanka.

The second and third tests will be played in Pune and Mumbai, respectively.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket