New Delhi: The Kiwis just have one wicket left with an overall lead of 143 runs but spin bowler Ajaz Patel feels that batting won’t be easy for the Indian batters on the third day of the Test match on Wankhede pitch. He said that even though India will have a small total to chase but on a wicket that is deteriorating fast, it won’t be an easy task.
Patel registered superlative figures of 5/103 in India’s first innings which helped in reducing the lead to just 28 runs. “Whatever we score, we’re going to have to try and do our best to restrict India but it’ll be interesting to see how the wicket continues to play,” Patel said when asked if New Zealand have enough on the board.
Spinners will have enough from the pitch
The pitch helped the Indian bowlers to a certain extent on the second day as it provided some spin and bounce which worked in their favour. Patel said that it’s turning quite sharply and it’s expected to behave in a similar manner on the following day. The Kiwi spinner further said that it will be encouraging for them as they will surely get something out of it on Sunday.
Patel further said that the pitch is turning from both the ends which will make the batting very difficult for the Indian players. Taking his bowlers side, he said that the pitch wasn’t favourable to the spinners in the morning. Further, the Black Caps spinner heaped praise on Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant whose fiery 60 runs pushed New Zealand against the wall.
He said that Pant has been exceptional throughout the tour and he was successful in putting the pressure back on the Kiwis irrespective of India’s position in the Test match early morning on second day.
