India vs New Zealand Live Score, 1st Test: Toss and line ups coming up from Bengaluru

India vs New Zealand Live Score, 1st Test: Get IND vs NZ Live Updates from M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

India vs New Zealand (IND vs NZ) Live Score, 1st Test Match Today: The Indian team returns to the longest format for the first time since whitewashing Bangladesh earlier in the month with New Zealand standing in their way. The series against the Kiwis will be vital for the Indian contingent to fix their flaws and check out their strengths before they travel to the BlackCaps’ trans-Tasmanian rivals Australia later in November.

The spotlight will firmly be on veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom didn’t exactly set the world on fire in the Bangladesh series, failing to score a half century in 4 innings. While youngsters such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant had impressive showings against Bangladesh, it was the bowlers and allrounders who took the plaudits.

Rain-affected Bengaluru Test pitch to aid spin or pace? Doesn’t matter as India’s world-class bowlers have ended old pitch-doctoring habit

The highly anticipated first Test between India and New Zealand in Bangalore was overshadowed by persistent rain, leading to a focus on weather conditions and pitch preparations instead of the usual cricket talk. The city’s drainage system, tested during the recent Kanpur Test fiasco, was a major concern as heavy rainfall continued.

Rohit Sharma’s India team has established a reputation for dominance at home, making them a strong favorite in the series. Their ability to adapt to various playing conditions and their deep talent pool have contributed to their success.

The persistent rain prevented a thorough inspection of the pitch, leaving both teams guessing about its potential behavior. Despite the uncertainty, the questions surrounding the pitch remained relatively mild, indicating a growing confidence in India’s ability to perform on any surface. (READ MORE)