NEW ZEALAND IN INDIA, 2016

I'm preparing a sporting wicket: Kanpur curator

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Rain hampered the Indian team's preparations. © Cricbuzz

Rain can harm India's chances as they go into their 500th Test match against New Zealand at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur from Thursday (September 22).Rain and poor drainage facilities took away the No.1 rank from India when their last Test, in Port-of-Spain against West Indies last month, was almost completely wiped out. Now with just a point separating India from the top-placed Pakistan, Virat Kohli and his boys will be looking heavenwards and praying that the elements don't interfere here as well.

Kanpur has witnessed some heavy spells of rain in the last few days with a strong downpour on Sunday keeping the Indian team indoors. Some more rain over the next two-three days can even change the nature of the pitch here. And that will be to the advantage of the visitors.

While curator Shiv Kumar denied that he was preparing a spinning track, such a move was being widely speculated here. "I am preparing a sporting wicket and not a square turner," he told ToI on Sunday. "It will turn, but from Day Three," he said, adding: "Toss will be crucial as batting will be the easiest on the opening two days."

He said that any further rain is likely to slow down the track and also provide some lateral movement to the seamers, something the New Zealanders would like. He, however, stressed that rains and a lack of sunshine in the run-up to the Test had affected his preparations. "We have the latest ground and pitch preparation facilities."

It was only rain, and no gain for the Indians as heavy showers forced them to abandon their practice on Sunday . The side had a light training session under a humid sun in the morning.

But, when the team returned for the second time, it rained for about an hour to play spoilsport. Along with the players, it was also a disappointing time for a few kids who had come to watch the stars in action.

© TNN

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