As predicted, rain interrupted play during the first semifinal between India and New Zealand at Old Trafford, Manchester on Tuesday.
At the end of 46.1 overs, the skies opened up and forced the players to go off the field.
New Zealand had reached 211 for 5 with Ross Taylor batting on 67 and Tom Latham new to the crease at 3.
Earlier, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat against India.
New Zealand made one change in their line-up -- Lockie Ferguson came in place of Tim Southee.
India also made one change to their playing XI which featured against Sri Lanka. Yuzvendra Chahal was included in place of Kuldeep Yadav.
"We're going to bat. It looks like a good surface. We have played a number of games here. A toss-up with the overheads, but it'll be around all day, so we need to get the job first up. We are used to the routine, but we have a great opportunity to put up a good performance against a side like India. Ferguson comes in for Southee," said Williamson after winning the toss.
Skipper Kohli said, ”We would've batted first as well. It's a fresh wicket, nice and hard, and not moist. A bit of rain around as well, the ball will get wet as the game goes on. It could remain decent throughout the game. It's going to remain similar throughout the course of the game.
"We've played really good cricket in Manchester, two good games, and it's about focussing on the basics. We need to remember why we are in the semis. Chahal comes back in for Kuldeep Yadav.”
Meanwhile, the Indian team management was on Tuesday criticised on social media after they did not include right-arm pacer Mohammed Shami in the playing XI for the World Cup semi-final clash.
"Okay with Chahal over Kuldeep. Not so much for Shami's exclusion. Only five bowlers is a possible concern but from that perspective, bowling first isn't that bad a thing. India bats deep with this combination," said cricketer-turned-commentator Akash Chopra after former India skipper Sourav Ganguly questioned Kohli's move.
Celebrated commentator Harsha Bhogle was also surprised by Shami’s omission. ”He takes wickets upfront and if you do, the death overs aren't as critical. India batting very deep with Jadeja at 8 but it is a big call to leave out Kuldeep against a team he has done well.”
With IANS inputs