Indian spinners dominate New Zealand on Day 2

Trailing by 149 runs with six wickets in hand, India started Day 2 of the third Test against New Zealand on a positive note at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The overnight batting pair of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant added 96 runs for the fifth wicket. Both the batters reached to their respective Test half centuries in the morning session. The duo struck a perfect balance between caution and aggression. This partnership however came to an end in the 38^th over as leg spinner Ish Sodhi, playing his first Test of the series dismissed Pant (60) leg before wicket. Pant fell shortly after completing his 13^th Test half-century. India’s wicket-keeper-batter had got a life when he was on 53 as he was dropped by Matt Henry at long off, off Glenn Phillips’ bowling. Phillips was unlucky twice as he had a dropped catch before Pant’s in the 27^th over when substitute fielder Mark Chapman after having done all the hard work spilled one at cow corner and gave Gill a reprieve when he was on 45. Gill continued to pile on runs as he marched to 70 at the end of first session. He was accompanied by Ravindra Jadeja (10 not out), who was sent ahead of specialised batter Sarfaraz Khan. The first session of Day 2 went in India’s favour as they scored 109 runs in 24 overs at 4.5 runs per over.

In the second session, India added 68 runs in 16.4 overs before getting bowled out for 263. India lost five wickets in that period, of which left arm spinner Ajaz Patel picked three to register his sixth five-wicket haul in Tests, and Glenn Phillips one. Akash Deep (0), the last wicket to fall, was run out without facing a delivery. Gill (90), who batted well in his 146-ball stay, fell shy of 10 runs to register his sixth Test century. To take India past New Zealand’s tally of 235, Washington Sundar played a handy knock and remained unbeaten on 38. India took a lead of 28 runs.

Falling behind for the first time in this series, New Zealand needed a steady start. However, pace sensation Akash Deep had other plans. In the very first over of the innings, the Bengal speedster shattered the stumps as he sent the New Zealand captain Tom Latham (1) back. No further damage was done in the remaining eight overs of the session as New Zealand headed into the Tea break with 26 runs on board, trailing by just two runs. Opener Devon Conway (15 not out) and the half centurion of the first innings Will Young (8 not out) ensured that there were no more casualties.

Right at the start of the final session of the day, off spinners Sundar and Ashwin struck as they dismissed Conway (22) and Rachin Ravindra (4) in the 13^th and 14^th overs, respectively. It was then up to Young and Daryl Mitchell, who had top scored for New Zealand in the first innings to steady the ship. As soon as the duo completed a 50-run partnership, Mitchell (21) ballooned one in the air off Jadeja’s bowling and Ashwin running backwards completed a fabulous catch. Jadeja’s bowling end was changed to the one where he had picked a fifer in the first innings. The left-arm tweaker struck again as he cleaned up Tom Blundell again in the second innings. Like Jadeja, who snapped two quick wickets, Ashwin, too added to his wicket tally after changing ends. Phillips (26) was outwitted by the carrom ball bowled by Ashwin as he was left bamboozled. Five overs later, Jadeja scalped his third, as he invited Ish Sodhi (8) to drive. Sodhi spooned one straight to Virat Kohli standing at short extra covers who took a good low catch. Ashwin matched Jadeja’s three, as he finally put an end to Young’s (51) fighting stay of 101 balls. Banking on his carrom ball again, Ashwin inflicted a simple caught and bowled. The eventful day came to an end with Jadeja claiming his fourth in the final over of the session. Matt Henry (10) failed to read the spin and paid the price.

At the end of play on Day 2, New Zealand are nine wickets down and lead by 143 runs in their second innings.