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India vs New Zealand are set to clash in the first Test of a crucial series that could determine India’s path to the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The match, held in Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, started on a wet note, with rain delaying the toss. However, the ground staff’s quick work has given fans hope of some action on Day 1. Big Picture: India’s WTC Quest Continues India, led by Rohit Sharma, is currently on a six-match winning streak in Tests and aiming for a clean sweep against New Zealand. With five of their remaining WTC matches scheduled in Australia, India will want to secure as many wins as possible in this home series to ease their path to the WTC final. For New Zealand, this series marks a significant challenge. The Kiwis, who have struggled in recent matches, are coming off a whitewash in Sri Lanka. Without key players like skipper Kane Williamson, the team will have to rely on stand-in captain Tom Latham and a young squad to take on India in their own backyard. However, the weather in Bengaluru could play a crucial role, potentially leveling the playing field for the visitors. The rain has kept the pitch covered, and the humid conditions could assist the seamers, providing an unexpected advantage for New Zealand’s bowling attack. India’s Squad for the Test Series India’s squad features a strong mix of experienced campaigners and exciting young talents. The core of the squad that recently played against Bangladesh remains the same, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the pace attack. India’s probable XI: Rohit Sharma will be hoping to break his lean run with the bat and get some valuable runs under his belt, especially with the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Virat Kohli will also be a key figure, with fans eagerly waiting to see whether he can regain his form at his IPL home ground. The Indian captain has not scored a half-century in the six innings he has played this year, raising concerns about his form heading into crucial matches. New Zealand’s Squad and Challenges New Zealand will be led by Tom Latham in the absence of Kane Williamson, who is recovering from an injury. The Kiwis are facing an uphill battle against an in-form Indian side, and the wet conditions in Bengaluru might offer them some respite by giving their seamers a boost. New Zealand’s probable XI: Tim Southee, who is just 18 wickets shy of 400 in Test cricket, will be a key player for New Zealand. His experience of bowling in Indian conditions will be crucial if New Zealand is to stay competitive. Bengaluru Weather: A Decisive Factor Bengaluru’s weather has been unpredictable, and rain could continue to play spoilsport over the first two days of the Test. The good news is that the ground’s drainage facilities are among the best in the world, offering hope that play can still take place if the rain stops. The pitch has been under covers for a while, which could mean some moisture remains in the surface, offering assistance to fast bowlers early on. This could tempt the team winning the toss to bowl first, making the first session crucial for both teams. In the Spotlight: Kohli and Southee Virat Kohli and Tim Southee will be the players to watch in this series. Kohli, with two centuries in his last eight Tests, will be looking to shrug off recent criticism about his form. For Southee, this series offers the chance to cross the 400-wicket milestone and continue his fine record in India, where he has previously taken two five-wicket hauls. Pitch and Conditions While India might be tempted to go with three spinners, the weather conditions could see them opting for three seamers instead. Bengaluru’s surface is generally known to assist spinners later in the match, but if the rain persists, early assistance for pacers cannot be ruled out. India (probable): New Zealand (probable): Key Statistics and Trivia What to Expect in the Coming Days With rain threatening to disrupt play, both teams will have to adapt to changing conditions. India, despite the weather, will be confident of their chances given their recent form and the depth in their squad. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be looking to take advantage of any assistance the weather provides to their seamers. If the rain subsides and allows for a full day’s play, we can expect a highly competitive match between two strong sides. India’s spinners will likely come into play as the game progresses, while New Zealand will be banking on their pacers to make early inroads in potentially helpful conditions. Conclusion India and New Zealand are set for a crucial Test series that could have a significant impact on India’s World Test Championship journey. While rain has delayed the start, the ground staff in Bengaluru are working hard to ensure play can commence. With both teams fielding a mix of experienced players and rising stars, this promises to be an exciting series. Will India continue their winning streak, or can New Zealand pull off a surprise? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds in Bengaluru. Specs Table: Team India New Zealand Captain Rohit Sharma Tom Latham Top Players Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin Tim Southee, Devon Conway, Tom Blundell Key Bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel Weather Impact Likely rain for first two days Overcast conditions may help seamers Key Absentees None Kane Williamson (injury) Pitch Conditions Possible early assistance for seamers due to rain Likely to help spinners as game progresses