New Delhi: India are in a commanding position in the third Test after the action of Day 2 on Saturday. There wasn’t much the batters could capitalise after New Zealand were bowled out for a sub par 235 on the first day, accounting for only a lead of 28 runs.
But the bowlers were at the sheen with their regular strikes. Tom Latham and company couldn’t make enough after Ajaz Patel helped them restrict India at 263 for 10 in 59.4 overs. Another dominating show by the Indian spinners downturned the visitors’ innings at 171 for 9 with a lead of 143 runs.
The umpires called it stumps after Ravindra Jadeja cleaned up Matt Henry with a classical drifter. This will be a much-needed breather for the Indians after suffering their first Test series loss in 12 years in Pune. They will still be required to pick the final New Zealand wicket at the earliest on Sunday and ensure there isn’t any clumsiness while chasing.
Here are the few talking points that were decisive in shaping the second day of the final Test.
Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant lift India’s fightback
After India lost three wickets at the end of the opening day in the space of nine deliveries, there was a sense of fear that would haunt them, something that deterred their progress on the spin-friendly surface in Pune or be it the overcast conditions in Bengaluru. Shubman Gill (90) and Rishabh Pant (60) ensured the hosts didn’t lost any wickets and plundered runs at a rapid pace to close in the gap on the first innings score of the opposition.
There is no denying that New Zealand were sloppy in the field, dropping the crucial catches of the Indian batting duo once each. But Pant and Gill didn’t let those moments get to their nerves and build around a determined 96-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Pant was trapped for leg-before-wicket by New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi while Gill missed out on his sixth Test hundred whilde prodding ahead to defend Ajaz Patel’s drifter only to find timber and provide a simple catch for Daryl Mitchell at the first slip. Ajaz Patel finished with figures of 5 for 103 to claim his Test career’s sixth five-wicket haul. Distinctive fifties from Pant and Gill helped India gain 28-run lead.
Indian spinners are back in action
The talk after India’s back-to-back Test defeats in this series was about the spin magic of heroes Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja was on the verge of diminishing. The duo defied the tumultuous belief and responded in manic.
Akash Deep removed New Zealand skipper Tom Latham before tea as New Zealand were batting at 26 for 1. Devon Conway and Will Young got the visitors in the lead and looked to flourish before Washington Sundar got the better of the southpaw. Ravichandran Ashwin picked his first wicket of the match after Rachin Ravindra was deceived while attempting a slog and was stumped by Rishabh Pant behind the wickets.
Ravindra Jadeja provided the breakthrough once Daryl Mitchell and Will Young were on the mission to escalate the lead. The 50-run partnership sent a message that the Kiwi duo can pull the momentum away from India, but to their alas, Jadeja wasn’t up for it.
Ashwin cleaned up Glenn Phillips after the New Zealand batter wreaked havoc in the middle with three sixes and a boundary. Jadeja removed Tom Blundell, Ish Sodhi, and Matt Henry to close in for another five-wicket haul.
India in driver’s seat for consolation win
With just one wicket and nearly 150 runs trail at the moment, India cannot let this opportunity slip from their hands, and that too, when they have the luxury of playing for three more days. It most likely looks that the match will end by tomorrow itself unless the weather plays a spoilsport.
India are in need of this win before they travel to Australia for the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The win in Mumbai will keep them in hunt for a spot in the World Test Championship final.
