Ravindra Jadeja’s four-wicket haul (4-52) and Ravichandran Ashwin’s three crucial strikes (3-63) have given India a slight upper hand on a crumbling pitch during the final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. Jadeja and Ashwin’s relentless spin attack constantly challenged the New Zealand batsmen, making every run difficult to score. The two spinners combined accuracy with variations in flight and speed to exploit the pitch conditions expertly.

At stumps on Day 2, New Zealand were struggling at 171 for 9, holding a slender lead of 143 runs. With the surface deteriorating rapidly, batting was becoming increasingly treacherous, and every run added by New Zealand was vital to their survival. The Indian bowlers bowled with immense discipline and ensured that the visitors could not run away with the game. The tourists may still have a fighting chance, especially with the pitch expected to offer more unpredictable turn and bounce as the game progresses. However, for now, India appear to have a narrow advantage, with the bowlers putting in a commendable performance. The momentum seems to be slightly in India’s favor, but the game remains open, and both sides will be looking to capitalize on any opportunity that arises on Day 3.

The second day saw bowlers dominate once again, with 15 wickets falling—a continuation of the gripping battle between bat and ball that had begun on Day 1. Ajaz Patel’s five-wicket haul (5-103) earlier in the day had kept New Zealand in contention, but India were able to wrest some control back.

New Zealand’s Top Order Fails to Fire on Spinning Track

The final session of the day began with New Zealand at a shaky 26 for 1. Opener Will Young showed resistance with a fighting fifty (51), but there was a lack of support from the other end. Devon Conway (22) and Daryl Mitchell (21) got starts but couldn’t convert as the pitch increasingly aided turn. Conway was undone by a vicious off-break from Ashwin, while Mitchell miscued a lofted shot off Jadeja, caught brilliantly by Ashwin at mid-on.

Rachin Ravindra’s attempt to accelerate backfired as he was stumped attempting a wild slog against Jadeja, while Glenn Phillips (26) briefly counterattacked with three sixes but eventually fell to Ashwin’s clever carrom ball. New Zealand’s lower order crumbled under the relentless accuracy of Jadeja, who finished the day with four wickets.

Ajaz Patel’s Five-Wicket Haul Frustrates India Once Again

Earlier in the day, Ajaz Patel worked his magic, picking up five crucial Indian wickets and preventing the hosts from securing a substantial first innings lead. Shubman Gill (90) and Rishabh Pant (60) did most of the damage for India, crafting a counter-attacking 96-run stand. However, India’s batting fell apart once again with little support from the rest of the lineup.

India’s lower order, usually so dependable, failed to fire as Ashwin and Jadeja couldn’t replicate their bowling heroics with the bat. It took a fighting cameo from Washington Sundar (38*) to help India cross New Zealand’s first innings total of 235.

Batting Last Remains Tricky as Pitch Crumbles

Despite their advantage, India face a tricky challenge chasing on a deteriorating pitch. New Zealand’s lead of 143 could prove to be competitive, especially if they manage to eke out a few more runs on Day 3. The tourists will aim to stretch their total past 150-155, making India’s task significantly harder in the fourth innings.

The Test remains finely balanced, with the pitch promising more surprises as the match progresses. Will New Zealand’s lead be enough to put India under pressure, or can the hosts capitalize on their current edge?

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 235 and 171/9 (Will Young 51; Ravindra Jadeja 4-52, Ravichandran Ashwin 3-63) lead India 263 (Shubman Gill 90, Rishabh Pant 60; Ajaz Patel 5-103) by 143 runs.

  Ajaz Patel, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, India, Mumbai, New Zealand, Rachin Ravindra, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Will Young