New Delhi: The Indian cricket team is currently gearing up for the third Test against New Zealand which is scheduled at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, after conceding the series 2-0. The Indian team will eye a consolation win as another loss will add some more dubious records with respect to losing home Tests. India are eyeing nothing but a victory in this Test match to at least boost their hopes of World Test Championship (WTC) final hopes.
However, a major change is expected to be brought in with regard to the nature of the pitch as the two teams square off in the final clash of the series. New Zealand will surely eye to make a complete sweep, to boost their chances of the WTC final. It is understood that while pacers took centerstage in the first Test held in Bengaluru, the pitch was a rank turner in the Pune Test, generating turn from the first day itself.
However, the Wankhede track is expected to be much different than the previous two as it will offer a lot to the batters on Day 1. According to a Times of India report, Mumbai has rolled out a “sporting track” for the third Test and it will have some grass on it. Spinners won’t get any turn on the track before the play goes into the second day.
“It will be a sporting track. Right now, there’s a bit of grass on the pitch. It’s expected to be good for batting on Day 1 but should offer turn to spinners from Day 2,” the national daily quoted a source as saying.
IND vs NZ last Test at Wankhede
It was back in December 2021 that India took on New Zealand in a Test at the Wankhede Stadium. The Match saw the hosts dominating the Kiwis with a comprehensive victory by 372 runs as the Indian bowlers bowled them out on 62 and 167 on a track that offered equal assistance to the spinners.
Meanwhile, India had scores of 325 and 276/7 declared in their two innings. Ravichandran Ashwin bagged a match-haul of eight wickets while leaking just 42 runs. But the spotlight was claimed by NZ’s Ajaz Patel as he re-wrote history books by producing figures of 10/119 in the first innings and adding four more wickets to his tally for 104 runs in the second essay.
