India vs New Zealand Highlights 1st T20: Match abandoned due to rain

The first T20I between New Zealand and India has been abandoned without a ball being bowled. 

Harshal Patel, who was not in good rhythm ahead of the World Cup, was forced to warm the bench during the entire campaign. Meanwhile, Mohammad Siraj too remained out of action after traveling with the squad as reserve.

The pair is likely to get some game time in the three match series.

If we compare the squads of both the sides, India have fielded a second string unit but all of them have ample experience in the international circuit. 

New Zealand, on the other hand, have stuck mostly with their core, with just Martin Guptill, and Trent Boult missing.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh could be seen sharing the new ball duties. But it'll be interesting to see if the management hands Umran Malik an opportunity as the third seamer.

Live pictures don't look promising at all. It is still raining and former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull says the forecast clears only after 10 pm local time (2:30 pm IST)

While the conditions remain grim, we still have plenty of time for the cutoff. As per latest updates, it will starts at 21:46 PM (local time), which is 2:15 PM in India.

Kane Williamson didn't have a fruitful outing in the T20 World Cup, particularly his strike-rate being questioned. He has also been released by IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, thus the series provides the New Zealand skipper with a perfect opportunity to shut his naysayers.

Shubman Gill, who is yet to make his T20I debut, said - “I came here for the U19 World Cup. Made my ODI debut here in 2019. Good to comeback (to New Zealand), feels good. Definitely, I have fond memories coming back to NZ.”

If we look at the current squad, India will likely hand the opening responsibility to Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill.

It will also be interesting to see if the team fields both Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson in the playing XI. 

Both India and New Zealand had reached the semifinals of the recently-concluded T20 World Cup, which was a forgettable outing for both. 

The two sides will hope to start afresh heading into the series. 

The drizzle has got heavier and the conditions don't look promising. 

However, only the pitch area has been covered.

Umran Malik returns to the scheme of things after spending substantial time in the domestic circuit, and with the India ‘A’ side.

Zaheer Khan, 2011 World Cup winner, feels the outing is a perfect opportunity for the Jammu and Kashmir speedster to make himself a constant figure. 

“Umran has been a very exciting talent and this kind of exposure is definitely going to help him, it is about how he takes things forward if he wants to grab the spot consistently,” the ex-cricketer said.

"There is a 81 per cent of chance at 7 PM Wellington Time (11:30 AM IST). The match is slated to start at 12 PM IST. The chance of rain gets significantly reduced as the day progresses, but there is still 49 per cent chance of rain," as per AccuWeather.

As per the latest update, the drizzle is back. The wait gets longer…

“I have spent a lot of time at the NCA, my stint at Lancashire was amazing before I got injured, so I’ve worked a lot on my body, particularly my shoulder.”

As per latest update, the rain has stopped. The day has got slightly brighter as well. 

However, the pitch covers are yet to be removed.

India: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Deepak Hooda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshal Patel

New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Kane Williamson(c), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson, Blair Tickner, Michael Bracewell, Ish Sodhi

The toss has been delayed due to wet outfield. 

Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of the India vs New Zealand first T20I, which will be played in Wellington. The action was scheduled to start from 12:00 PM IST, but it is unlikely due to rain. Stay tuned for LIVE updates!