Rain on Day 1 of 2nd India-NZ Test?

Mumbai, December 1

The untimely Mumbai monsoon threatens to play spoilsport as there is a fair chance of first day’s play during the second Test between India and New Zealand being affected by rain as per the weather forecast which may turn the 22-yard strip at Wankhede into a bowlers’ paradise. The two teams had to call off their respective training sessions today as it rained the whole day. In fact, there is forecast of rain on Thursday and scattered showers on Friday.

The Wankhede strip has a pretty bald look with all grass shaved off to help the slow bowlers after the low bounce at Kanpur’s Green Park deflated them. However, the pitch that will be on offer at the Wankhede from Friday is expected to help both the seamers as well as spinners. The persistent rain, with the pitches being under cover, means that there is bound to be a lot of moisture underneath the surface. — PTI