‌IND vs NZ | Gill, Pant and Young shine in contrasting tone amidst spin havoc in evenly-poised contest

Arijit Kundu

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

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New Zealand will have one wicket in hand to extend the lead to 143-run when they come out to bat the next day. While Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant’s fifties helped India with a 28-run lead, Will Young’s resilient act stood apart amidst Ravindra Jadeja’s four-for and Ravichandran Ashwin’s three-fer.

With thirteen minutes of bad cricket at the cusp of Stumps spoiling India’s start, overnight batters Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill opted for a careful approach against Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel. But it didn’t take long enough for the wicketkeeper-batter to play his audacious strokes and Gill joined him soon. Although the fifty-run partnership soon grew strong, it was assisted by two dropped catches - Mark Chapman and Matt Henry - at the V region. However, Ish Sodhi got sharp purchase from the pitch and one that turned into Pant caught latter off guard, fragmenting a 96-run stand. With Ravindra Jadeja coming in, India nurdled for a few overs before a spidercam mishap induced a tad early Lunch as India’s score read 195/5 in 43 overs. 

Immediately after lunch, Jadeja made his way back to the pavilion after being dismissed by Glenn Phillips in the 47th over. Homegrown talent Sarfaraz Khan had a disappointing outing, falling for a four-ball duck as Ajaz Patel struck once more. The decline continued as Gill, who was nervously approaching a century, departed for 90 runs. Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin kept the innings afloat, with India leading by 10 runs at 246/8. Patel’s dominance at Wankhede continued as he dismissed Ashwin, completing his five-wicket haul. India’s lower order struggled to make an impact, and the team was eventually bowled out for 263 runs, holding a slender lead of just 28 runs. The Indian side had moment of joy after a brief gap as Akash Deep scalped Tom Latham with a jaffa in the first over. However, Devon Conway and Will Young took the scorecard to 26/1 in nine overs at tea. 

The Wankhede pitch was turning to spin conditions as Washington and Ashwin carried the bowling after tea. Thereafter, in the 13th over Washington got rid of Conway who departed scoring 22 off 47. Rachin Ravindra’s poor stint continued in this Test as he fell for four runs, thanks to Ashwin’s beautiful delivery. With Will Young and Daryl Mitchell at the crease, New Zealand reached 89/3, leading by 61 runs at Tea. 

India continued to employ their spinners against the Kiwis but Mitchell and Young looked solid with their stroke selection for a good period. However, a rush of blood in the 28th over coupled with a tremendous catch from Ashwin led to the all-rounder’s downfall. Subsequently, Glenn Phillips initiated a counter-punch, highlighted by a couple of sixes against Ashwin before the latter cleaned him up with a sensational carrom delivery. Ish Sodhi followed suit before Young brought up his half-century and departed, courtesy of Ashwin’s brilliant third scalp. Jadeja operated beautifully from the other end and as the day came to a close, shattered Matt Henry’s timber to leave New Zealand at 171/9.

Hahaha! Right time!

He is the man!

Yeah!

Sir Ravindra Jadeja!

Yupe!

Yes! Hopefully 

He is winning it for us!

Hahaha! LOL xD

Yes may be!

True!





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