As New Zealand heads into Day 5 of the first Test against India at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, rain threatens to derail their chase of 107 runs. The Kiwis, who have the upper hand with openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham set to resume, are facing a weather forecast that may force a draw.
After India’s first innings collapse at 46, followed by a brilliant rescue by Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99) in the second innings, India posted 462, setting up a tricky chase for New Zealand. However, weather remains a major concern with intermittent rain showers already affecting play throughout the match.
Current Weather Update: It is currently raining in Bengaluru, and forecasts indicate that thunderstorms are likely during key periods of Day 5, particularly around 9–10 AM and 3 PM. The weather is expected to be gloomy, with temperatures hovering around 25°C and humidity levels in the 60-70% range. Wind gusts of 9 km/h could also play a role in shaping conditions.
New Zealand fast bowler William O’Rourke acknowledged the weather’s influence, saying, “Hopefully, for our sake, the rain stays away and we get a chance to have a crack at it.”
With rain likely to play a game of hide and seek, the ground staff at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium face a challenging day as both teams hope for enough time to secure a result.
