Persistent rain in Bengaluru raises doubts about whether a result could be possible in the first Test between India and New Zealand. While the first day of testing was a blur, the forecast for the next few days of this week in the city also looks grim. India had miraculously managed to force a result in their second Test against Bangladesh, which was also marred by rain, and now they may have to do the same against the Kiwis if play is possible in the game.

This is effectively the second leg of India's 2024-25 Test season and the second part of the final games before the final of the 2025 World Test Championship. Even though India are currently at the top of the table, a place in the final itself is far from guaranteed.

The WTC table

India currently has a points percentage (PCT) of 74.24 after 11 Tests. Second is Australia with 62.50 after 12 Tests, making them and India the favorites to reach the WTC final. Sri Lanka are in third place with a PCT score of 55.56 after 9 Tests while England are fourth with 45.59 after 17 Tests. South Africa rounds out the top five with a PCT score of 38.89.

What India needs to reach the WTC final

India has taken part in both WTC finals played so far, although they are yet to win the title themselves, having lost to New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023. The results of other teams could make their path easier. Third-placed Sri Lanka are the biggest threat to the top two having secured a comfortable series win at home against New Zealand. However, their only remaining assignment in this WTC cycle is a grueling two-Test series in South Africa. At the same time, England could also pose a threat as they are in a strong position in their three-Test series against a struggling Pakistan. Furthermore, Sri Lanka are still very capable of surprising South Africa after being defeated 2-0 at home in 2018/19.

For India to qualify for the WTC finals regardless of their rivals' results, they needed five wins and a draw in the ten Tests they were scheduled to play in the final games of the current cycle. India have already claimed two of these wins, having beaten Bangladesh 2-0 in the series, before the current one against New Zealand. They are the clear favorites to whitewash New Zealand, considering the New Zealanders have been invincible for more than a decade and the New Zealand team has been in poor form recently. However, a draw in the first Test in Bengaluru due to rain could make it important for India to register at least one win in the series that follows the current series, namely the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.