Mumbai, Nov 2 (UNI) At the tea break on Day 2 of the ongoing Test match, New Zealand finds themselves slightly ahead, trailing India by a mere 2 runs after the hosts suffered a dramatic collapse, bowled out for 263 runs.
After resuming the session at 195 for 5, India quickly lost their remaining wickets, surrendering control of the match.
Ajaz Patel led New Zealand’s charge with a stellar performance, claiming the crucial wicket of Shubman Gill, who was looking in sublime form with 90 runs. Gill fell to a classic spinner’s dismissal, caught at first slip by Daryl Mitchell. Ravindra Jadeja, who had been batting steadily at 14, also succumbed to pressure, falling victim to Glenn Phillips.
The Indian innings faltered further as Sarfaraz Khan was dismissed for a duck, raising concerns about his form during pivotal moments. However, Washington Sundar provided some much-needed resistance, scoring a quick 38 runs, including two sixes and four boundaries, briefly reviving hopes for the Indian camp.
Patel's exceptional bowling earned him figures of 5 for 103, marking his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket and reinforcing his reputation as a formidable bowler on Asian pitches.
After India posted 263 in their first innings, New Zealand's innings began poorly, losing opener Tom Latham to Akash Deep on just the second ball of their innings. Latham was bowled out, leaving the visitors at a precarious 2 for 1. Devon Conway managed to steady the innings with 15 runs, while Will Young remained at 8 as the tea break arrived with New Zealand at 26 for 1, just 2 runs shy of India’s total.
As the match stands finely balanced, both teams are eager to assert their dominance when play resumes after the break, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to this crucial Test.
India had reached 195 for 5 at lunch on Day 2 against New Zealand, narrowing their deficit to 40 runs in a lively session that saw Rishabh Pant’s aggressive 60 and Shubman Gill’s steady, unbeaten 70. After New Zealand was bowled out for 235 on Day 1, India resumed their innings with intent on Saturday, adding 77 runs in the morning session before Pant's dismissal to Ish Sodhi’s LBW.
Pant set the tone early with a fierce counterattack against Ajaz Patel, striking three boundaries in one over and maintaining an aggressive run rate of 4.53. His 36-ball fifty featured eight boundaries and two sixes, electrifying the Wankhede spectators.
However, New Zealand’s Sodhi eventually broke through Pant's momentum just before lunch, successfully reviewing an LBW appeal that was upheld, ending Pant's explosive knock.
Gill remained resilient at the crease, stabilising the innings even after a missed catch at 45, anchoring the innings with an unflappable 70. Ravindra Jadeja joined him briefly before the lunch interval. New Zealand’s fielders let slip two key chances to remove Pant, and although Phillips was unlucky with missed opportunities, he consistently applied pressure.
Brief scores: India: 263 all out (Shubman Gill 90, Rishabh Pant 60; Ajaz Patel 5/103); New Zealand: 26/1 (Devon Conway 15*, Will Young 8*; Akash Deep 1/2) at tea on Day 2.
UNI BDN ARN