India vs New Zealand Live Score Third Test Day Updates

The ball started to turn extremely sharp on day two with all the spinners finding joy off the pitch. This makes it a struggle for batsmen who are new to the pitch and makes partnership building a crucial element to batting successfully on this pitch.

India will be keen to wrap up the last wicket quickly with Ravindra Jadeja firing for a second five-iron of the match to complete an excellent performance with the ball in this match.

For India, the key will be to find runs at the top of the order. While it is likely to be a manageable chase for a team with the quality and depth present in the Indian squad, there will be concerns about the batting form of several players in the squad, especially the senior members in the form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. .

With confidence low in the pair ahead of the crucial five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting later this month, it would do them individually and the morale of the team as a whole a favor if they could get runs under their belts. at the Wankhede Stadium and reverse the two defeats they suffered against the Kiwis.

From New Zealand’s point of view, there is still plenty of scope to pull off a win on a pitch that has some demons that could help the likes of Ajaz Patel and Ish Sodhi. As India demonstrated in the first innings, there are plenty of chances for India to burn themselves out and lose wickets in bunches, which could put a lot of pressure on the lower middle order for the hosts.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma will have to survive the key period when the pacers will be in action, with Rohit particularly struggling against Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke. A strong opening partnership will set the stage for the batsmen to come along to play with confidence and guide India home in a tough chase.

India’s first innings saw Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill steady the ship after a rocky spell to end the first day. The pair countered to score at a brisk pace and put India in a strong position, putting together a 96-run partnership as both players bring up their half-centuries.

Rishabh Pant was caught LBW by Ish Sodhi which caused a period of worry for India as they lost their next three wickets for just 24 runs. Shubman Gill got into the 90s but was dismissed and some late big hitting from Washington Sundar was enough for India to generate a slight lead. Sundar would have tried to extend it further but Akash Deep was run out for the last wicket to bring the Indian innings close.

In reply, New Zealand were denied early as Akash Deep edged one through Tom Latham’s defense to crack the stumps. Will Young and Devon Conway started to rebuild to erase the lead just after lunch but were caught at slips by a delivery from Washington Sundar that turned and bounced. Rachin Ravindra was the next to depart to end a disappointing Test as he charged down the field but didn’t get anywhere near the ball to Ashwin, stumped by some good gloves from Pant.

Will Young and Daryl Mitchell did well to consolidate the innings from that point, but Jadeja struck when Ashwin took a good catch after Mitchell miscued an aerial drive attempt. A few quick spells fell after that point as New Zealand suffered a collapse of their own, going from 94-3 to 150-8.

Glenn Phillips hit some big shots to keep the score going but was bowled by a brilliant Ashwin carrom ball before another carrom ball saw Young go to a caught ball and bowled to the off-spinner with experience.

Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel took the charge before the close of play, but Jadeja slipped it past Henry to topple his stumps with the final delivery of the day, with India within striking distance of going into the second innings with the bat.