Even as India took the lead in the third and final Test against New Zealand, for the first time in the series, it came after yet another batting collapse for the hosts. India took a 28-run lead on Day 2 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai courtesy a fine 90-run show by Shubman Gill and a fiery 60 from Rishabh Pant. Washington Sundar, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 38 runs.
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At the other end, Ajaz Patel took five wickets at a venue where he’s had plenty of success. The left-arm spinner’s stupendous bowling after the lunch session took his overall tally at the Wankhede to 19 wickets.
With the pitch favouring spinners more and more now as the Test progresses, India would not be pleased with just a 28-run lead. But once again, a batting collapse let them down – as has been the case throughout the series.
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At the fag end of Friday, India lost three wickets for six runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Virat Kohli falling in a matter of 8 balls.
On Saturday, India didn’t cave this dramatically but did concede six wickets for 83 runs. The hosts went from 180/4 in the 38th over to 263 all out by the 60th.
In the previous two Tests, played in Bengaluru and Pune, respectively, India’s batting frailties had come to the fore as they succumbed to New Zealand bowlers time and again.
In the first Test, India were bowled out for just 46 runs – their lowest Test total at home – and then were dismissed for 462 runs in the second innings. In the second essay, India had lost seven wickets for 54 runs.
In the second Test, India went from 50/1 to 103/7 – losing six wickets for 53 runs – and then six wickets for 71 runs in the second innings (96/1 to 167/7).
It is no wonder after such a hapless batting show that India have already lost the Test series and with that their enviable record of home Test series wins. With New Zealand winning the first two Tests, they ended India’s run of 12 years and 18 home Test series wins.
