3rd Test Interestingly Poised As Spinners Rule The Roost; Can India Save Face Vs NZ?

Mumbai: Having lost the second Test and the series on a turning track, India dared to throw the spin challenge at New Zealand one more time. And after two days of gripping cricket, the final Test at Wankhede Stadium is poised on a knife’s edge with the pitch aiding the tweakers a bit too much for batters’ comfort.

As many as 29 wickets – including 24 to spinners — have tumbled on the first two days, at the end of which New Zealand are 143 runs in front with one second-innings wicket intact.

Even if New Zealand are bowled out on Sunday morning without adding too many runs, Indian batters will have their task cut out in chasing down what is apparently looking like an easy target and thus achieve a face-saving win.

India, starting Day 2 on 86/4 in reply to New Zealand’s first-innings total of 235, rode an enterprising partnership between overnight pair Shubman Gill (90) and Rishabh Pant (60) to post 263. In the absence of Pune wrecker-in-chief Mitchell Santner, fellow left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel claimed 5 wickets.

The lead of 28 looked promising as New Zealand skipper Tom Latham was bamboozled by pacer Akash Deep in the first over. But Will Young’s half-century helped New Zealand reach 171/9 at stumps on Saturday.

Ravindra Jadeja followed up his 5-wicket haul in the first innings with 4/52, Ravichandran Ashwin rediscovered some of his magic by picking up 3 scalps, while Washington Sundar bagged 1.

Brief Scores

New Zealand 1st innings: 235.

India 1st innings: 263 (Shubman Gill 90, Rishabh Pant 60, Washington Sundar 38 not out; Ajaz Patel 5/103).

New Zealand 2nd innings: 171/9 (Will Young 51; Ravindra Jadeja 4/52, R Ashwin 3/63).

Match situation: NZ lead by 143 runs.

3rd Test to continue on Day 3.