India's Batting Woes Continue as Spinners Dominate in Wankhede Test

India’s Batting Woes Continue as Spinners Dominate in Wankhede Test

Team India’s batting woes continued in the second innings of the Wankhede Test, as New Zealand’s spinners wreaked havoc, leaving India reeling at 29/5 in their pursuit of 147 runs. The Indian stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, failed to deliver once again, falling prey to the guile of the Kiwi spinners.

Rohit Sharma’s reckless shot against Matt Henry drew criticism from commentator Harsha Bhogle, who questioned the Indian skipper’s approach. “Trying to get my head round Rohit Sharma’s approach. Struggling. That was a wicket on a platter and ends a disappointing home season for him with 133 in 10 innings,” Bhogle tweeted.

Kohli, who has struggled throughout the series, managed just a single run before being dismissed by Ajaz Patel. Bhogle highlighted the poor form of both Kohli and Rohit, stating, “Kohli 192 in 10 innings. Rohit 133. It has been a forgettable home season for the big two.”

India’s batting has been a major concern throughout the series, with Rohit and Kohli failing to provide the necessary contributions. Their underwhelming performances have played a significant role in India’s first Test series loss at home since 2012.

The Indian team now faces an uphill task to salvage a draw in the Wankhede Test. With the spinners dominating, India’s batsmen will need to show resilience and patience to navigate the challenging conditions.

India's Batting Woes Continue in Mumbai Test

India’s Batting Woes Continue in Mumbai Test

India’s batting woes continued on the opening day of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai, as they slumped to 86 for four at the close of play. The hosts, already trailing 0-2 in the series, had earlier bowled out the visitors for 235, thanks to impressive performances from Ravindra Jadeja (5/65) and Washington Sundar (4/81).

However, India’s batting collapsed in the final 20 minutes of the day, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma all falling cheaply. Jaiswal was dismissed for 18, attempting an extravagant reverse slog-sweep, while Kohli was run out for 4 after a lapse in judgment. Sharma, playing his second Test at the Wankhede Stadium, failed to capitalize on an early chance and was caught for 18.

India’s batting collapse highlighted their shaky confidence, with Shubman Gill (31 not out) and Mayank Agarwal (17 not out) the only batsmen to show any resistance. The hosts ended the day still 149 runs behind New Zealand’s first innings total.

Earlier, Jadeja and Sundar had combined for nine wickets to restrict New Zealand to 235. Jadeja achieved his 14th five-for in Tests, surpassing Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to move up to fifth on India’s all-time Test wicket-taker list.

Will Young (71) and Daryl Mitchell (82) played well for New Zealand, but they struggled against India’s spinners on a spin-friendly pitch. Young looked poised for a century, but Jadeja ended his knock with a turning delivery that clipped the bat’s shoulder. Mitchell, the highest scorer with 82 off 129 balls, showed resilience and hit three fours and three sixes in his fighting knock.

India desperately need a win in this Test to stay in contention for the World Test Championship final, but their batting collapse on the opening day has put them in a challenging position.

India Faces Must-Win Test Against New Zealand Amidst Spin Crisis

India Faces Must-Win Test Against New Zealand Amidst Spin Crisis

India faces a daunting challenge as they prepare to host New Zealand in the third and decisive Test match, starting Friday. After losing the first two Tests, India is desperate to salvage pride and avoid a humiliating home series defeat.

The pressure is mounting on India’s batting lineup, which has struggled against both pace and spin in the first two matches. The team’s famed spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, have also been outplayed by New Zealand’s spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel.

In a bid to turn the tide, India has opted for a rank turner at the Wankhede Stadium, where the ball is expected to turn sharply from the first hour. The team has also called in 20 slow bowlers for net practice and drawn white lines on the pitch to gauge the length and lines.

However, India’s desperation could lead to recklessness, as they attempt to force a win on a pitch that may favor the bowlers. The team’s recent performances have raised questions about their ability to negotiate quality spin attacks, and a three-day finish is on the cards.

Despite their struggles, India’s senior players, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ashwin, and Jadeja, will be expected to lead the fightback. However, they may need to share the workload with younger players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill.

New Zealand, on the other hand, has been meticulous in their preparation and execution, exposing India’s weaknesses with both pace and spin. The visitors will be confident of completing a series sweep and further dent India’s hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.

India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, has defended his spinners despite their poor performance in Pune, but his own approach and form will be under scrutiny. Kohli, too, is under pressure to deliver big runs as India faces a transition period in Test cricket.

Amidst the odds stacked against them, India’s batters will face a stern challenge on a pitch that is expected to favor the spinners. Ashwin and Jadeja have not looked menacing even on home soil, and Axar Patel may be brought into the team for his ability to bowl on turning tracks.

The team management has rested Jasprit Bumrah for the match, keeping in mind the upcoming tour of Australia. While the Wankhede pitch may provide some early assistance to the fast bowlers, it is expected to play in favor of the spinners sooner rather than later.

India will be hoping to replicate their success against Australia in 2004, when Murali Kartik wreaked havoc on a similar pitch. However, New Zealand will be determined to prevent a repeat of that result and secure a historic series victory in India.

India Prepares Balanced Pitch for Crucial Third Test Against New Zealand

India Prepares Balanced Pitch for Crucial Third Test Against New Zealand

India Prepares Sporting Track for Decisive Third Test Against New Zealand

Facing the prospect of a series sweep, India is set to prepare a balanced pitch for the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium from November 1. The hosts have struggled against both seam and spin in the first two Tests, prompting a shift in strategy.

According to sources, the pitch for the third Test is unlikely to be a rank turner, unlike the one in Pune where New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner wreaked havoc with his left-arm spin. Instead, the Wankhede pitch is expected to offer a sporting balance, with some grass cover for the seamers and gradual turn for the spinners from Day 2 onwards.

BCCI’s chief pitch curator Ashish Bhowmick and elite panel curator Taposh Chatterjee met with Wankhede curator Ramesh Mamunkar to review the pitch. “It will be a sporting track. Right now, there’s a bit of grass on the pitch. It’s expected to be good for batting on Day 1 but should offer turn to spinners from Day 2,” a reliable source told TOI.

In the last Test at Wankhede in December 2021, India crushed New Zealand by 372 runs on a pitch that offered significant spin assistance. Ravichandran Ashwin took a match haul of 8 for 42, while New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel made history with 14 wickets for 223 runs.

However, the Indian team management is keen to avoid a repeat of the Pune debacle, where Santner’s spin proved too much to handle. The Wankhede pitch is expected to provide a more balanced challenge, allowing both the seamers and spinners to play a role.

The outcome of the third Test will be crucial for both teams. India needs to win to avoid a series sweep, while New Zealand will be looking to complete a historic victory on Indian soil. The pitch preparation will be a key factor in determining the outcome of this decisive encounter.

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