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The first day's play of the first Test between India and New Zealand has been called off without a ball being bowled because of rain, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, on Wednesday.
Even the toss, which was scheduled at 9am IST, could not take place because of a persistent drizzle since morning.
The pitch and the adjoining square has been under cover for the past three days. The weather forecast is not encouraging either, with rain again predicted to play spoilsport on the second day on Thursday.
To make up time, play will start early at 9.15am IST on Thursday with the toss taking place at 8.45am if the weather clears. A total of 98 overs have been scheduled to be bowled on Day 2.
It was another frustrating day for New Zealand, whose Asian tour began with a one-off Test against Afghanistan abandoned due to rain in Greater Noida last month.
The current series, which also features matches in Pune and Mumbai, is part of the ICC World Test Championship. India are eyeing a big win over the 2021 champions to improve their chances of making a third consecutive final next year.
Rohit Sharma's India, fresh from beating Bangladesh 2-0, are looking to win their 19th straight series on home soil since a 2-1 defeat by England in 2012.