Team India were under tremendous pressure after back-to-back Test defeats to New Zealand in Bengaluru and Pune. Their plan to qualify for the third World Test Championship finale was under threat as the next six Test matches became extremely vital. The Rohit Sharma-led side struggled mostly with the bat but the bowlers too failed on multiple occasions, helping the Kiwis post a good total on the board.
On Day 1 of the third Test in Mumbai, the bowlers stepped up big time and that helped India restrict New Zealand to 235 runs in the first innings. Devon Conway, who had a terrific series with the bat, was sent back to the pavilion for just four runs while Tom Latham departed for 28 runs and Rachin Ravindra made four. The BlackCaps were reduced to 72/3 and things were not looking well for them.
After that, Will Young and Daryl Mitchell stitched a very crucial partnership of 87 runs, which brought the Kiwis back into the contest. However, with two consecutive wickets of Young and Blundell, India once again took control. Young departed after scoring 71 runs. Soon after that, Mitchell too made his way back into the pavilion, scoring 82 runs.
Also Watch: Washington Sundar’s carbon copy castles Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra in IND vs NZ third Test
Senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who was going through a rough time, picked up a five-wicket haul, while Washington Sundar picked up a four-fer to end New Zealand’s time in the first innings. In both the first and Test second, New Zealand’s tail went on to add some crucial runs which put India in trouble but in Mumbai, the tail contributed only 15 runs. They missed the services of Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee, who were scoring runs towards the backend.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin once again failed to clinch any wicket. Leading to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, it’s a huge matter of concern for the Indian team. In the second innings, India started well with the bat. Captain Rohit Sharma smashed three boundaries before getting out for 18 runs. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill took over, but the prior departed after 30 runs as Ajaz Patel got the better of him.
Also Read – Sanjay Manjrekar praises ‘favourite cricketer’ Ravindra Jadeja after 14th five-wicket feat
Mohammed Siraj, who made his return to the playing XI, was sent as a night watchman and got out in the first ball itself. It brought Virat Kohli into the crease and this time around, the Delhi-born cricketer tried a risky single and was run out. He was dejected following his dismissal for four runs as India were 86/4 at the end of the day’s play.
Here’s how the fans reacted to IND vs NZ third Test played in Mumbai:
Well done @imjadeja 😍🇮🇳 Jai mata di Bapu 🇮🇳🙌 https://t.co/Ijz9sMgT3f
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) November 1, 2024
Over the moon for my favourite cricketer, Jadeja. ☺️
A fifer! He needed that! And so did the team. 👏👏👏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) November 1, 2024
#RavindraJadeja
Jadeja with a fifer and Sundar with a four wicket haul. 🇮🇳
Restricted to NZ 235/10
Well done team India 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/7VInjSUCdW
— Dinesh Patel🇮🇳 (@DineshP6609) November 1, 2024
Ravindra jadeja ❣️ beauty ……pic.twitter.com/gfufp1Gomj
— Raggy 🐉 (@Raggy_521) November 1, 2024
INDIA 🇮🇳 LOST TWO WICKET IN SAME OVER.
A DIRECT HIT AT THE BOWLER’S END.KOHLI PUT IN THE DIVE. BUT NEWZEALAND CELEBRATING.#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/lDh3UitCuo
— Moin Khan (@MoinKha71711786) November 1, 2024
IND vs NZ 3rd test 📢 day 1
India batting again collapse 💔
Newzealand 235 all out
India 86/4 trail by 149 runs
Stump day 1
— the lallontop (@indianation3071) November 1, 2024
#INDvNZ #Wankhede
India imploding before the close of play after reaching 78 for 1 , loosing 3 wickets in 9 balls ! It’s against the run of play & seems to be advantage New Zealand for now ! Washington Sundar or Ravi Ashwin could have come in at the fall of Jaiswal ? Harakiri ?
— Rajeev Waghre (@Rare22) November 1, 2024
That stumps on Day 1 and that last 15 minutes has brought New Zealand strongly back into the contest.
India at 86-4, trail by 149 runs !#INDvNZ
— Er. Radhey Sharma (@rstanuj) November 1, 2024