Bengaluru Weather, IND vs NZ, Day 5: Advantage New Zealand As Rain Threat Looms Large (Source: AP)
The India vs New Zealand first Test is headed towards a tight finish. New Zealand need just 107 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series, but it's a Day 5 pitch and there is plenty on offer for the bowlers. All three results are still possible in the Test but New Zealand are slightly ahead given they have all 10 wickets in hand. The Kiwis were happy to walk off after umpires decided to stop play due to bad light on Day 4. India wanted to bowl as they had an opportunity to take a few New Zealand wickets given the bowling-friendly conditions, but umpires had decided that the light was not fit to play.
Heading into the final day, all eyes will be on the weather and how it will play as New Zealand and India tussle to take an early lead in the series. As per the forecast, the weather will be cloudy, with thunderstorms predicted. Further breaking the weather prediction into hourly forecasts, there is a 51 percent chance of rain at 9:00 AM IST. The rain chances float around the 50 percent mark till 4:00 PM. If the forecast comes true and it rains till 4:00 PM, the match should end in a draw. However, Bengaluru has one of the best drainage systems in the world and it only takes 45-60 minutes at max to get the play underway once the rain stops.
New Zealand would be hoping they get around 30-40 overs of play which should be enough for them to get the required runs. India, on the other hand, would need as many overs as possible if they were to win the Test match.
The hosts would be disappointed to not set a bigger target for New Zealand. India were well on track to set a 250+ run target for New Zealand when Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99) were going all guns blazing, however, the second new ball derailed India's inning as they slipped from 408-3 to 462 all-out, losing the final seven wickets for 56 runs.
It has been a bittersweet Test for India so far. They would be delighted to force the game into the fourth innings after being shot down for 46 runs in the first innings, but having got the match into a position where they could have dictated terms, and then let it slip out of the hands would hurt India. Still, the Indian camp would believe they could bowl out the Kiwis under the target given their class bowling attack, but it would take a monumental effort from the bowling unit.
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