MUMBAI, India — As India grapples with the prospect of a rare home series defeat, Rishabh Pant emerges as the pivotal player in their attempt to avoid a whitewash against New Zealand in the third test match. The third day of the match saw India facing a significant challenge while chasing a target of 147 runs after a shaky start. They reached lunch on a precarious 92-6, with Pant contributing a resilient half-century amidst the team’s struggles.
Pant ended the lunch break unbeaten on 53 runs from 50 balls, hitting seven fours and a six along the way. He formed a small partnership worth 21 runs with Washington Sundar, who was on six not out at the time. In a commendable effort, Pant also added 42 runs for the sixth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (6), providing a glimmer of hope for the Indian side after it had faltered early on, finding itself at 29-5.
On the bowling front, Ajaz Patel from New Zealand stood out by claiming 4 wickets for 43 runs in just 10 overs, solidifying his status as the most effective bowler by a visiting team at any location in India. Additionally, New Zealand bowlers Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips each contributed with a wicket as India still required 55 runs to claim victory.
Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja achieved a remarkable feat by taking his second five-wicket haul in the match, bowling New Zealand out for 174 runs in their second innings. The Kiwis began the day at 171-9 and could only add three more runs in 14 balls before Jadeja dismissed Ajaz Patel for eight, marking his 15th five-wicket haul in test matches. Jadeja concluded the match with impressive figures of 10-120, marking his third ten-wicket haul throughout his test career of 77 matches.
Following the dismissal of Patel, India’s batting lineup suffered a series of collapses. Captain Rohit Sharma fell to Henry for just 11 runs after attempting a risky pull shot. Shubman Gill was bowled by Patel for a mere one run, leaving the ball but being clean bowled. The Wankhede Stadium crowd gasped in disbelief as Virat Kohli was caught at slip for just one run in the next over. Phillips then removed Yashasvi Jaiswal for five via lbw, and Sarfaraz Khan’s dismissal for one run continued India’s batting woes, leading to a shocking collapse.
In response, Pant stepped up to lead India’s recovery with a series of unconventional shots, while Jadeja played a more cautious role. Their collaboration provided a much-needed boost until Jadeja was dismissed at short leg for six off 22 deliveries. New Zealand was left with a feeling of injustice after a close lbw appeal against Pant was not reviewed, with replays suggesting he would have been out.
Following lunch, Patel’s impressive four wickets took his overall tally at Wankhede Stadium to 23 in just four innings. Notably, he had previously set a record of 10-119 during a match in 2021, resulting in a total of 14 wickets. Patel surpassed the previous record held by England’s Ian Botham, who had 22 wickets at the same venue.
In the first innings of this test, New Zealand scored 235 runs, whereas India narrowly took a lead with a total of 263 runs. The Kiwis have already secured victories in the first two tests of the series held in Bengaluru and Pune, winning by margins of eight wickets and 113 runs, respectively, and marking a significant first test series win in India.