WTC final, India vs New Zealand: Day 1 abandoned due to wet outfield

In the last five years, England has hosted 32 men's Test matches and only as many as four have ended in draws which is an indication that even if rain plays spoilsport, the final will go the distance

Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli with ICC World Test Championship mace ahead of India vs New Zealand final at Southampton. Photo: @ICC

3:57 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Southampton weather

3:42 PM

WATCH: Favourite venues for New Zealand and Indian players

3:33 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Southampton weather

The live images from broadcasters are not encouring, the rain is getting heavier at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

3:19 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Southampton weather

3:07 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Southampton weather

2:53 PM

IND vs NZ WTC FINAL updates: Southampton weather live

The news from Southampton is not encouraging as the rain is started to get heavier again. There is a lot of water on the covers and outfield and the forecast is also not encouraging. According to Southampton weather forecast, there is chances of rainfall throughout the day. We may see the reserve day would come in play in WTC final.

(Photo credit; Screengrab from UK met office website)

2:38 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Rain continues to play spoilsport

2:17 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Toss delayed due to rain

2:00 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Southampton weather

The Ageas Bowl's pitch and square are completely covered, but the remainder of the outfield isn't, which shouldn't be an issue because most English fields have excellent drainage.

The Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Photo: @ICC

1:53 PM

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1:47 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates:

Session Timings in WTC final:

Toss: 2.30 pm IST

First ball: 3 pm IST

Lunch: 5 pm IST

Tea: 7.40 pm IST

Stumps: 10 pm IST

1:41 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: New Zealand SWAT analysis

New Zealand team SWAT analysis

Strengths: A superb and varied pace attack of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson, who can wreak havoc in even slightly favourable conditions.

Weakness: The Kiwi spinners don't appear too threatning, especially when compared with the Indian duo of Ashwin and Jadeja.

Opportunity: New Zealand played two Test against England leading up to the WTC final. Kiwis know the conditions well and are match ready.

Threat: Williamson missed the second Test against England with an injury and may be a little low on confidence.

1:32 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Team India SWAT analysis

Indian team analysis

Strengths: Impact players like Kohli and Sharma. An attack that's arguably the best in the world, with formidable pacers and quality spinners alike,

Weakness: Lack of practice match. India has not played any long format cricket since March.

Opportunity: Kane WIlliamson is an undisputed great, but bthe rest of the Kiwi order could be vulnerable.

Threat: Rain can play spoilsport. An overcast conditions could help swing bowling, causing trouble for India's top order, Indian spinners may find it difficult to make a huge impact if there is rain around.

1:04 PM

WTC final: India vs New Zealand preview

India might be second on the list in the latest ICC rankings for Test teams, but it doesn't bear testimony to what the team has achieved under Virat Kohli in the last two years. And going into the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) against top-ranked New Zealand from Friday, Kohli's boys will definitely fancy their chances of winning the inaugural edition of the championship at the Ageas Bowl.

The momentum lies with the Kiwis as they beat England 1-0 in the just concluded Test series and the same catapulted them to the top of the rankings. But then, cricket isn't played on paper and all these things will take a backseat when Kohli and Kane Williamson head out for the toss on Friday.

This Indian team under Kohli has shown they believe in playing to win and has time and again snatched victories from the jaws of defeat. Not to forget the depth in the bench which was visible on the tour of Australia at the start of the year.

India was without the likes of skipper Virat Kohli, spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, and pacer Jasprit Bumrah when the team defeated Australia by three wickets against all odds in the final Test at The Gabba to take the series 2-1.

India will be riding on the recent performances in the longest format which also saw them clinching a series win against England after being one down in the Test series.

After cricket resumed amid the coronavirus pandemic in December 2020, India has won five out eight Tests with the recent win coming against England in which the hosts defeated the Joe Root-led side by an innings and 25 runs.

But then, the only blip in an otherwise perfect report card is the series loss to the Kiwis in New Zealand in 2020. While they lost the first Test by 10 wickets, they lost the second one by seven wickets.

On the other hand, New Zealand has won five out of the six Tests since December 2020 with the recent victory coming against England on Sunday.

New Zealand who weren't in contention to play the Test Championship final, first sniffed their chance when the ICC in November, last year, amended the WTC points system due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Zealand, who had half of the points India had, suddenly got a reprieve when the percentage points system was introduced. Since then New Zealand at home defeated West Indies and Pakistan to move to the top and qualified for the summit clash when Australia cancelled their tour to South Africa in February 2021.