Cricket Highlights, Nov 01-03: New Zealand tour of India (3rd Test) – New Zealand vs India

NZ vs IND (3rd Test) – Highlights

In this article, we will discuss the intense 3rd Test match between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, where New Zealand emerged victorious by 25 runs. This match was a gripping contest of skill, patience, and strategy, with both teams battling hard on a challenging pitch. New Zealand, after scoring 235 and 174 in their two innings, set India a target of 147 runs. Despite India’s first-innings lead, they faltered under New Zealand’s relentless bowling attack and were bowled out for 121. This thrilling win secured the series for New Zealand and underscored their ability to adapt and succeed in testing subcontinental conditions.

In New Zealand’s first innings of the 3rd Test at Wankhede, they posted a total of 235 runs, facing tough competition from India’s spin-heavy bowling attack. Tom Latham and Devon Conway opened for New Zealand, but Conway was dismissed early for just 4 runs, trapped lbw by Akash Deep. Latham made a steady 28 before falling to Washington Sundar, who broke the opening stand and then dismissed Rachin Ravindra for 5 soon after.

New Zealand’s middle order found some stability with Will Young and Daryl Mitchell, who formed a crucial 87-run partnership. Young, showing grit, scored a valuable 71 off 138 balls, while Mitchell played aggressively, adding 82 runs off 129 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes. However, their partnership was eventually broken when Young was caught by Rohit Sharma off Ravindra Jadeja, and New Zealand’s middle and lower order began to crumble.

Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the star of India’s bowling attack, taking 5 wickets for 65 runs in 22 overs. His precision bowling broke New Zealand’s resistance, dismissing Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips (17), Ish Sodhi (7), and Matt Henry for a duck in quick succession. Washington Sundar was also effective, claiming 4 wickets for 81 runs in 18.4 overs, including the crucial wickets of Mitchell and Ajaz Patel.

In India’s first innings of the 3rd Test against New Zealand at Wankhede, the team managed to score 263 runs, establishing a first-innings lead of 28 runs over New Zealand. The innings began with a steady opening from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who contributed 30 runs off 52 balls before being dismissed by Ajaz Patel. Captain Rohit Sharma fell for 18, caught by Tom Latham off Matt Henry, leaving India at 25 for 2.

Gill scoring 90 runs from 146 balls, featuring seven boundaries and a six. His innings was pivotal as he provided stability amidst the early setbacks. However, his dismissal came as a blow when he was caught by Daryl Mitchell off Patel, leaving India at 227 for 8.

In New Zealand’s second innings of the 3rd Test at Wankhede, they struggled to build any significant partnerships, ultimately managing just 174 runs, setting India a target of 147 runs to chase. The innings started poorly for New Zealand as captain Tom Latham was dismissed for a duck on the second ball of the innings, bowled by Akash Deep. Devon Conway made 22 runs before falling to Washington Sundar, caught by Shubman Gill, leaving New Zealand at 39 for 2.

Will Young showed some resistance with a fighting 51 off 100 balls but was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin, caught and bowled. Young’s wicket triggered another collapse, with Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and Tom Blundell all falling cheaply. Mitchell managed 21 runs before being caught by Ashwin off Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling.

In India’s second innings, chasing a target of 147 runs set by New Zealand, the team faced a dramatic collapse, ultimately scoring just 121 runs and falling short of their target by 26 runs. India’s innings got off to a rocky start, losing their captain Rohit Sharma for just 11 runs, caught by Glenn Phillips off the bowling of Matt Henry. The situation worsened when Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli fell in quick succession, both dismissed cheaply for 1 run each, leaving India reeling at 18 for 3.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was next to go for 5, falling lbw to Glenn Phillips. At 29 for 5, India looked in deep trouble. However, Rishabh Pant provided some resistance with a solid innings of 64 runs off 57 balls, hitting 9 boundaries and 1 six. Pant’s efforts briefly stabilized the innings as he tried to build a partnership, but once he was caught by Tom Blundell off the bowling of Ajaz Patel, the remaining batsmen faltered.

Ajaz Patel was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking 6 wickets for 57 runs in 14.1 overs, while Glenn Phillips played a crucial role with 3 wickets. New Zealand’s bowlers effectively capitalized on India’s early struggles and maintained the pressure throughout the innings, leading to India’s disappointing defeat in this thrilling contest.

New Zealand vs India Scoreboard

New Zealand– 235 & 174

India– 263 & 121

Result – New Zealand won by 25 runs

Player of the Match – Ajaz Patel

New Zealand vs India Playing XI

New Zealand

Tom Latham (C), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel, William O’Rourke.

India

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Sarfaraz Khan, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep.

Disclaimer: This Highlights is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.