RAIN DELAY | India v New Zealand, 1st Test - Day 1

Rain delayed the toss on day one of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Heavy showers kept the ground covered ahead of a scheduled 09.30am (06:00 SA time) start time, with rain forecast to interrupt play for the first two days.

Preparations for the first match of the three-Test series were also hit by the weather, which caused training for both teams to be cancelled on Tuesday.

Rohit Sharma's in-form India are firm favourites at home and come in fresh from a 2-0 sweep of Bangladesh.

New Zealand, who will be without injured leading batsman Kane Williamson for at least the first match, lost both Tests in Sri Lanka last month.

Tim Southee stepped down as captain after Sri Lanka swept the series 2-0, with Tom Latham taking full-time charge for the first time.

The second Test begins in Pune on 24 October and the third is in Mumbai from 1 November.

- AFP