The first day of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) between India and New Zealand in Southampton has been abandoned due to rain. Seeing this many have thought the playing XI which has already announced on Thursday, can be changed before the toss takes place. But India’s fielding coach R Sridhar revealed that they won’t change the playing XI as well.

“I think the XI which has been announced is the XI that takes the pitch and conditions out of the equation. I think it is an XI which can play and perform on any given surface and in any given weather conditions. So that is what I believe: this XI is all about which we have put on the park,” he said to the media.

R Sridhar, however, shared that they are keeping their options open. Meanwhile, New Zealand hasn’t named their playing XI yet as they want to see the pitch first amid this situation.

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“But having said the toss is not yet over, so if there needs to be a decision taken, it needs to be taken at the time of the toss. We haven’t confirmed the final eleven yet. Again, we have to wait and see when we get the chance to have a look at the wicket etc. Yeah, sure Kane [Williamson, the captain] and [head coach Gary] Steady have a few contingencies in plan but we will have to wait and see when the covers come off and we get a chance to play,” vice-captain Tom Latham has said to the media.

However, the WTC final will be played until June 23 now due to rain as well.

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Rule 1.2.1 of the playing conditions of the much-anticipated WTC final says, “Each captain shall nominate 11 players plus a maximum of 4 substitute fielders in writing on the team sheet provided by ICC. Other than as set out in clauses 1.2.7 and 1.2.8, no player (member of the playing eleven) may be changed after the nomination without the consent of the opposing captain. Immediately prior to the toss, the ICC Match Referee or his nominee shall check with both team captains that the players nominated on the team sheets are correct.”