India vs New Zealand 1st Test Bengaluru weather forecast: Will rain disrupt the opener?

New Delhi: Following a dominating 2-0 series victory over Bangladesh, India is now gearing up to face New Zealand in a three-match Test series. The first match against the Tom Latham-led New Zealand team is scheduled to kick off on October 16 at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. India will be looking to continue their winning streak and put up a strong performance against their formidable opponents.

India is aiming for a third consecutive ICC Test Championship final, maintaining an impressive run in red-ball cricket. Since the South Africa tour of 2022-23, they have remained unbeaten in Test series, winning six and drawing two.

The last time India hosted New Zealand was in 2021, when Virat Kohli led the team to a 1-0 series victory over the Kiwis.

According to weather.com, Bengaluru is expected to experience thunderstorms on October 16, with a high likelihood of rainfall at 93 percent. The temperature will range from 23 degrees Celsius during the day to 19 degrees Celsius at night, while humidity levels are forecasted to stay between 88 percent and 92 percent.

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch in Bengaluru is often regarded as a batter’s paradise, offering a conducive surface for stroke play. While batters enjoy favorable conditions, the pitch also offers opportunities for both seamers and spinners throughout different phases of a Test match. Early on, the fresh surface provides seamers with a decent level of assistance. As the match progresses and the wicket wears, spinners can become more influential. The average first innings score at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is 354.