India vs New Zealand WTC Final Highlights: Play on Day 1 call off due to rain, wet outfield

That's it from us today!!!

Do join us tomorrow for all the live action updates, ball by ball coverage and much more. The toss will take place at 2:30 pm and the first ball will be bowled at 3:00 pm IST if we have the blessings of the weather gods.

Day 1 called off, reserve day to come into play!!!

An unfortunate end to the day!!! Couldn't have gone worse. The play has been abandoned in Southampton on Day 1 due to rain and wet outfield. The umpires have officially taken the decision and the Indian Cricket Board has reiterated the same. So, now officially, the play will go into the reserve sixth day, if needed. A disappointing day for the fans as well, who had come to see the match on the ground. Nevertheless, lets hope for a better day tomorrow with some clear skies and live action taking place.

Play on Day 1 call off due to rain, wet outfield

UPDATE from BCCI - Unfortunately, play on Day 1 has been called off due to rains. The match will start tomorrow at 3 pm IST. Toss at 2;30 pm IST.

Will India change their Playing XI?

Team India announced their Playing XI last evening and it comprised of two spinners (Ashwin and Jadeja) and three seamers (Bumrah, Shami and Ishant). Now, with the weather playing its part, taking away more than a session and a half on Day 1 and conditions still overcast for today and the next few days, will India change their XI and go in with additional seamer? Technically they are allowed to do so -- change the playing XI as the toss still has not taken place yet.

Inspection @ 7:30 pm IST

Umpires take a look at playing conditions

There was an inspection from the umpires a while back from now. Another official inspection will take place at 7:30 pm IST, an hour from now.

Ashwin, Shami out for a walk

The ground staff hard on work. They continue to get the park ready for the contest. R Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha and Mohammed Shami along with some Indian support staff members can be seen taking a walk on the sidelines of the boundary, waiving at the fans, eagerly waiting for the start of play. New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson can also be seen on the ground. Hopefully, there is some good news to come soon!!!

Update - The rain has stopped again!!

It has stopped raining once again in Southampton. But not sure how long this is going to last. The ground still absolutely soaked. We are still quite far even from the toss.

Buzz on social media

I think Southampton had never been searched these much times for it's weather forecast updates in the history as of now!! Rain rain goo away #INDvsNZ #WorldTestChampionship #WTCFinal2021: Kiransam on Twitter

In high spirits!!!

It's not looking good at all

Weather update!!!

Unfortunately, the heavens have opened up again. Seems like the rain gods are enjoying this. The rain stopped for a brief moment but it is right back. The wait further continues!!!

The rain has stopped

Finally, a ray of hope!!! It has stopped raining in Southampton, for now. But there's a still lot of work to be done before we can even think of the toss taking place. There's a lot of water on the park. It's all soaked up and the ground staff are tirelessly working on it to get the play started. Some play in the second session might be possible.

And, Michael Vaughan's love affair with Team India continues

Still NO good news from the Rose Bowl

It started to rain yesterday and has not stopped since. The rain has gotten heavier and the ground still remains covered. Even the super-sopper has had enough of this. The whole ground looks absolutely soaked, says Nasser Hussain on-air.

Weather update

The situation still not looking good in Southampton. It is not pouring down at the moment but still a lot of water on the park. The grounds men are working tirelessly to get rid of it.

Some really exciting cricket to be played: NZ skipper Kane Williamson

The WAIT continues!!!

(Photo credit: Getty Images)