India’s spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar wreaked havoc on New Zealand’s batting lineup on the second day of the third and final Test in Mumbai, triggering a collapse that handed India a significant advantage.
The Kiwis lost eight wickets in the final session, crumbling to 171 for 9 in their second innings, with a lead of just 143 runs at the close of play. The Indian spinners spun a web around the Kiwi batters, exploiting the sharp turn and variable bounce of the Wankhede pitch.
After India posted 263 all out in their first innings, securing a slim 28-run lead, the spinners took control. Ashwin (3/63) found his rhythm, while Jadeja (4/52) continued his impressive form, keeping India’s hopes alive of avoiding a clean sweep.
Will Young’s gritty 51 was the only significant resistance from the Kiwis, who succumbed to pressure after Ajaz Patel (5/103) claimed another five-wicket haul. Ashwin showed visible delight when he stumped Rachin Ravindra (4), beating the batter with bounce and turn. He also bowled out Glenn Phillips (26) and Young (51) to secure crucial breakthroughs.
Jadeja also made a notable contribution, ending a resilient 50-run stand between Young and Daryl Mitchell (21). Mitchell’s aggressive shot against Jadeja failed to get the desired distance, and Ashwin covered 19 meters to complete a brilliant catch.
Tom Blundell (4) chopped a delivery onto his stumps off Jadeja, while Ashwin bowled Phillips, who had shifted to aggressive batting mode. At the start of New Zealand’s reply, Akash provided the rare sight of a pacer disturbing the stumps on a turning track, dismantling Tom Latham’s (1) off and middle stumps in the first over.
Earlier, India suffered a setback with Pant’s dismissal towards the end of the morning session. From Pant’s dismissal in the 38th over to India folding in the 60th, the team managed just eight boundaries and two sixes. Pant alone hit as many during his brisk half-century.
Ajaz, finding his length, continued his success at the Wankhede Stadium, following up his world record 10/119 in the first innings of the 2021 Test here with another five-wicket haul. In the second session, Gill narrowly missed out on his century while other batsmen continued to disappoint.
Sarfaraz Khan’s struggle was particularly disheartening as he failed to open his account on his home turf. Gill’s flawless 146-ball 90, including seven fours and a six, ended when Patel had him caught at slip. Jadeja (14) too was caught at slip, though off Glenn Phillips, while Washington fought a lone battle among the three all-rounders, scoring a brisk 38 not out off 36 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes.
