IND vs NZ: Persistent rain in Mumbai washes out training sessions of both teams

India and New Zealand’s practice session on December 1 at the Wankhede Stadium was cancelled due to persistent rain. Both the teams are in Mumbai currently for the second and final Test, with the series currently levelled at 0-0 after the Kanpur Test ended in a draw.

“Team India’s practice session has been cancelled due to rains,” said the BCCI in a statement. Meanwhile, the hosts will welcome Virat Kohli back into the setup, as he resumes his leadership duties after being rested in the first Test. Kohli was also not a part of the three T20Is, each of which India won under their new short-format skipper Rohit Sharma.

Kohli’s entry into the team means India will be forced to make a change, with still no clarity over who will make way for him. Ajinkya Rahane, who led the team in Kanpur in Kohli’s absence, had this to say when asked about who would sit out in Mumbai: “We’ll have to wait and see till the Mumbai game. I am not going to make any comments but the management will make a call.”

There are concerns also over the availability of wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, who batted in Kanpur with a stiff neck, while KS Bharat substituted him in both the innings behind the wickets. India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey stated that a call regarding Saha’s inclusion will be taken closer to the game, which commences on December 3.

“We will take a call closer to the game. Physios are in constant touch with Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli. Closer to the game, we can take a call on what condition he is in. Whatever he did in the last game was a fabulous effort. It was painful to bat, but he raised his hands and delivered for the team,” Mhambrey said during a virtual media interaction on December 1.

Speaking about the change India will make to slot in Kohli, Mhambrey termed it a “good headache”.

“We have so much talent available and that speaks volumes about Indian cricket. With youngsters coming up, we want to give them an opportunity and someone like Shreyas comes up with a 100 and follows up with a 50 – that’s fabulous. That speaks volumes about Indian cricket and the way forward. But then, we have to see the combinations that would suit the particular wicket. We are happy to have that kind of problem,” he said.