Fans at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru were left disappointed on Wednesday when play on the first day of the first Test match between India and New Zealand was canceled due to rain. The constant rain meant that even the litter didn't take place and weather forecasts say the situation may not improve in the next four days. India sit comfortably at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) table with a PCT of 74.24, but a complete failure in the Bengaluru Test could dent the Rohit Sharma-led side's dreams of reaching the WTC final give concern.

India has participated in the last two WTC finals but failed to win the title. They are currently at the top of the table, with Australia in second place. Sri Lanka is in third place while England and South Africa are in fourth and fifth place respectively. This means India is still the favorite to reach the WTC final.

However, to qualify for the summit, India needed five wins and a draw in their last ten Test matches. They got off to a great start with a 2-0 win against Bangladesh and according to fans and experts, the team had a great chance of repeating the show against New Zealand.

However, if one of the games is canceled completely, India will have to win three of its last seven games. While two of them face New Zealand in the ongoing series, the challenge becomes much tougher when they take on Australia in a highly anticipated five-match away series.

Rain flooded the opening day of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru.

The southern Indian city has been hit by rain in the last 48 hours and more wet weather is forecast in the coming days.

New Zealand's one-off Test against Afghanistan near New Delhi was abandoned last month after five days of rain without a ball being bowled.

After persistent rain at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, referees called off the day's play at 2:30 p.m. (09:00 GMT).

The litter is now scheduled for Thursday at 8:45 a.m. if it dries out. Preparations for the first game of the three-Test series were also affected by the weather with training canceled for both teams on Tuesday.

The second Test will begin on October 24 in Pune and the third will be held on November 1 in Mumbai.

(With AFP inputs)