IND vs NZ Highlights, 3rd Test Day 2: New Zealand 171/9 at stumps, lead by 143 runs

Henry and Ajaz have hit a couple of sixes each. The plan of India too seems to be the same pick wickets on the basis of batters trying to hit boundaries. India needs to be wary of the runs as well. It is not going to be easy this chase. We seen a couple of years back chasing 142 India did have their fair share of troubles in Bangladesh in the fourth innings. This pitch is spinning even more than what it did hence India have to mix caution with aggression properly in the chase. From New Zealand's perspective it is to get to around 180-200 run lead and ask India to chase those runs which will be intimidating. 

Ish Sodhi pushed the ball with hard hands and Kohli standing close in cover took a good catch. Jadeja 10 overs into his spell has picked up three wickets already. As we update Ashwin picks the danger man Will Young. It is Carrom ball yet again from the off-spinner the ball is pitched and turned away Young trying to work the ball on the leg-side got the leading edge to Ashwin. Beautiful bowling from Ashwin he is looking in good rhythm in this innings. For the first time in the series, he is looking like Ashwin of old here. India needs to pick two more wickets now. 

Will Young score a half-century here. Excellent innings from the batter. Came in the absence of Kane Williamson and has not looked out of sorts at least in one inning. He has got starts in the series but in this game, he converted his starts into substantial scores. While the other batters looked in trouble Young has been one player who looked unscathed on this pitch. It will be interesting to see what New Zealand will do once Kane Williamson is back whose form has been on a decline in red-ball format and also off-late has been getting injured frequently. 

Ashwin got Phillips it is a brilliant delivery from the bowler. It was a carrom ball that pitched on the leg-stump and turned sharply to take off the off-stump. With 45 minutes left in the Day's play, India can run through the remaining New Zealand batters if and only if they keep doing what they have been doing so far. Will Young too has been absolutely superb here yet again. While everything is unfolding at the other end he keeps his cool and displays a solid temperament and technique. He needs to stitch another partnership here does Young.

Glenn Phillips has come with the right intent here. He is going after the bowling. He is picking the lengths and depositing the balls into the stands. India needs to be careful that it remains a cameo and not an innings of substance. Regardless of how the pitch has been playing here we are aware that Wankhede is ground where runs come at a quick pace and because of the dimensions the sixes also come with easy. As we update New Zealand's lead goes over 100. Things will start to get concerning for India from here on. 

Well, it is the Jadeja way he got one the other one followed. Blundell did not look convincing whatsoever for his stay in the middle. He tried to push the ball with an angled bat through the off-side got the inside edge onto the stumps. It is the Jadeja way. He takes a bit long to pick his first one however, once he gets one he has a happy habit of picking 2-3 in quick succession. The new batter coming in has to be careful and try to stay at the other end as much as possible against Jadeja because of his accuracy the left-arm spinner will create a lot of trouble. 

Jadeja has changed ends here. This is the end he picked up five wickets in the first innings and Ajaz Patel picked up his five wickets as well. It was a strange move from Rohit Sharma to deprive this end for him at the start of his spell. It will be interesting to see if Jadeja can get help and start picking wickets yet again. As we update Jadeja picks Mitchell. The batter yet again danced down the track to hit Jadeja into the stands however, got the toe end of the bat and the ball went high up in the air and was swirling Ashwin ran backwards took a brilliant catch.

Young and Mitchell are stitching a good partnership here yet again. They looked fabulous in the first innings and are looking comfortable yet again here. India needs to be wary of this partnership here as the batting is not as easy as these two are making look. Mitchell especially seems to have a lovely tempo in his mind and of the wicket. He is mixing the aggression with caution nicely. As of now Jadeja is not looking much threatening. He takes a bit of time does Jadeja to get into his grove, unlike Ashwin who wants a wicket very early in his spell. 

Spare of thought for wicket-keepers on this surface. We have seen Blundell get hit a couple of times on his head because of the turn and what Wankhede offers is extra bounce. Even we are seeing Pant who is a competent keeper struggling to get his glovework right. Proper test here for both keepers an experience which can take them a long way. Pant going to Australia next will face better surfaces there because of the even bounce at least for the first few days of the game. If keepers are not picking the ball imagine the plight of batters on it. 

Jadeja has come into the attack here. India needs a good spell from him like he did in the first innings. He did take a bit of time did Jadeja to get into his groove in the first innings however, he does not have the same luxury in this innings. He has to keep tight and also have to keep picking wickets. R Ashwin on the other hand seems like has got his mojo back and is bowling beautifully one thing New Zealand does not have quality of spin as India which can keeps the pressure sustained at all times. Yes, Ajaz Patel is there but Glenn Phillips and Ish Sodhi seem to be inconsistent. 

Daryl Mitchell has come into the middle and he tends to to start a bit nervy in his innings early on similar to Ollie Pope of England. Mitchell tends to play a few sweeps and reverse-sweeps early on his innings and that is what he has tried to do here once again as well. There was a delivery from Ashwin which he danced down the track did not reach the pitch of the ball but still managed to hit it for a six. This is what India needs to be wary of the pitch is spitting out from good length areas which will make batting even more difficult when they come to chase in the final innings. 

Ashwin gets his first wicket of the match. The ball pitched on the middle stump and turned away however, Rachin Ravindra showed his cards too early by dancing down the track hence Ashwin could pull back his length and Rachin missed the ball completely and was stumped by Rishabh Pant. The bowler was pumped up with the wicket and why wouldn't he be he has been going through a lean patch is Ashwin. Ashwin in this innings has also got the pace at which he is bowling absolutely spot on. Both off-spinners have been bowling brilliantly since Tea.

Sundar gets the breakthrough. The ball kicks out of the rough and hits the splice of the bat and Gill at second slip takes a simple catch. That delivery is an indication of what is to come on this surface. So every run is important from both team's perspectives. It is a one-inning game and all New Zealand needs is one counter-attacking innings from someone to get it done. Will Young has looked good in the first innings and is looking good again he needs someone with him like Mitchell in the first innings to partner up so that New Zealand can get to the illusory 180-200 mark. 

Washington Sundar and Ashwin started the session after Tea and New Zealand had taken the lead. It has been a tactic from Rohit Sharma to use off-spinners against New Zealand top order batters and bring in Jadeja late into the attack. However, given the game situation and form of Ashwin, Rohit cannot let things drift away for too long as batters too would be aware that a delivery with their name will come and batters will get out. Hence they will keep attacking Ashwin no matter what. And Ashwin too needs to find the response for what the batters are going to do as there is a lot of help for him on offer.

Interesting session coming up here. This session will decide the direction of the game. It is not very often India is tested to this extent in home conditions. New Zealand would believe whitewash is a genuine possibility here. 

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It's Tea here on Day 2. After losing Tom Latham early, New Zealand has crawled back into the game here. They are trailing by two runs. The game is on a knife-edge at the moment. The evening session might decide in which direction this game is heading. From per Indian perspective, they do not want to chase anything over 150 and in the worst-case scenario 180. The wicket is already exploding and the turn is coming from dangerous areas where batters can lose wickets. Nicely poised for this game do join us after the Tea break. 

Ashwin is into the attack. He must be hurting a bit that he's gone wicket-less here so far. Turns one in first up to Young's pads. Three from the over. NZ 15/1

The wicket has offered him an extra yard of pace here. Akash is tearing in from around the stumps and attempting to move the ball in with the angle. He also invites Conway to drive, which the left-hander has opted out against this over. NZ 12/1

Sharp turn for Sundar first-up from the rough outside the left-hander's guard. As much as the Indians will rejoice it now, they will dread batting here later on. NZ 6/1

LOUD SHOUT as the ball raps into Latham's pad. Akash appeals and the umpire raises his finger instantly. NZ review and a hefty inside-edge will save the New Zealand captain. Akash to Latham, OUT! Knocked him over this time! If not an lbw, I'll swoop you out completely. A corker of a delivery slides in from around the stumps and gushes through the gates. Akash is pumped!

Tom Latham b Akash Deep 1 (4b)

Tom Latham and Devon Conway return to the middle. Akash Deep takes the new ball. Not certain if India can afford to concede big in this innings. 

Akash Deep has signalled for a change of bat without facing a ball. He calls for the MRF blade that Virat Kohli had gifted him. Ajaz overpitches and Washington drills the ball through cover for FOUR. Sundar attempts to sneak in two runs by slicing the ball to third but is sent back. Akash takes a moment to turn but seems to have made his ground. Well, oh no! Akash is short at the keeper's end and the Indian innngs comes to a close. India bowled out for 263 with a 28-run lead.

Akash Deep run out (Ravindra/Blundell) 0 (0b)

Sodhi offers a half-tracker outside the off-stump and Sundar smashes it past Rachin Ravindra at deep backward square for FOUR. Sharp leg-break on length and Sundar arches back and wallops the ball over mid-wicket for SIX!

Ajaz Patel is unstoppable at Wankhede! He claims another five-wicket haul as Mitchell's bucket-hands nabs Ashwin. The lengths have been perfect ever since Pant's departure.

Ravichandran Ashwin c Mitchell b Patel 6 (13b 1x4)

Ajaz's adept change of pace, going much slower through the air traps Sundar in his tracks and hits the pad. That looked plumb as NZ review. Surprisingly, the ball has spun sharply past the leg-stump and Sundar survives.

Phillips tosses one up and Sundar smites it down the ground in a perfect arc over the bowler for SIX! He takes a single of the fifth ball and Ashwin sees it out. IND 246/8

Ashwin gets an inside-edge towards backward square and an overthrow will mean that he will come back for the second to tie the scores. And Ashwin lofts India to the lead, pumping Ajaz over wide mid-on for FOUR.

Phillips slides one in and Washington flays inside-out over extra cover for FOUR. Top shot that as the deficit narrows down to four. Washi reels in a single and retains strike. Three behind now. IND 232/8

A cracking delivery from Ajaz Patel snaps up Shubman Gill on 90! Beautiful flight from Ajaz lures Gill forward into the push. Nothing he could have done about the delivery, with such inviting aura on it. The thick outside-edge falls sharp to Mitchell's right but he dips quickly to get the job done.

Shubman Gill c Mitchell b Patel 90 (146b 7x4 1x6)

Eight runs separate the sides as Gill enters the 90s. Things have slowed down considerably with NZ tightening the screws here. India will have a tough time batting last on this strip. IND 227/7

Patel loops one in and this time it's Washington Sundar who will employ the reverse-sweep to effect past first-slip for FOUR. The pitch has begun to play its tricks on the batters and India need to get past the deficit real quick from here. IND 221/7

And Shubman Gill is attempting to flip the switch here. He pounces on Phillip's loopy delivery and hammers it down the ground for FOUR. He aims to unsettle the bowler further with a reverse-sweep but misses out. Phillips overpitches again and Gill smears it through extra cover for FOUR. IND 212/7 in 49 overs

Some real positive movement from Gill against Ajaz Patel. He is looking assured while prodding forward and waits for the shorter ball to get going. A firm slap through cover hands him a single. Ajaz to Sarfaraz, OUT! A cracking deliver to snap Sarfaraz for a duck. Troubled him with a couple of deliveries that straightened from length and this one kisses the edge outside off-stump with steep bounce. NZ turn the screws yet again. IND 204/7

Sarfaraz Khan c †Blundell b Patel 0 (4b)

Phillips to Jadeja, OUT! Some late turn for Phillips on the full as Jadeja leans forward with hard hands to defend. The ball bites the outside-edge and lands straight in the hands of Mitchell at first slip. In comes Sarfaraz Khan at No. 8. IND 203/6

Ravindra Jadeja c Mitchell b Phillips 14 (25b)

Ajaz slides one in with the arm and Gill flicks it towards mid-wicket. A mix-up between the batters as Jadeja sets off on a quick single, forcing Gill to a scramble to make his ground. 200 up for India.

Jadeja and Gill are turning singles easily against Phillips who has not had as much of turn off the deck as the others. Three from the over as India moves to 198/5.

Gill a tad slow on the front-foot as Ajaz Patel deftly varies his lengths and pace. Two leading-edges pop off Gill's blade towards cover and he nearly gets trapped in front against a slider. IND 195/5

Gill and Jadeja are back in the middle. A 40-run deficit hangs over them. This is a crucial session for the hosts to turn the tide in ther favour.

India are 40 short of New Zealand at Lunch. With the spinners' inconsistent lines not troubling the batters so much so far, Gill and the lower-order can make it big this evening for India. Santner has been a huge miss for the Kiwis on this strip. 

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Seems like the fortunes are slowly swinging in India's favour with a stoppage in play. Time is ticking as the spider-cam is stuck mid-way in on its web (ropes) at the mid-wicket region. And the umpires have called for Lunch, four minutes earlier than before. And immediately the spider-cam moves up as Mitchell requests the umpire to resume for a bit. But no, the players will head into the break with India dominating the session with 109 runs at the loss of Pant. Played, Shubman Gill.

Seven minutes to Lunch as Gill and Jadeja drop anchor. India have gone six overs without a boundary. Plenty of time left in the game as well as the Indian dug-out. A harmless six minutes is the focus now.

Ajaz slides one down leg and Jadeja tucks it further down to fine-leg for to runs. Three runs from the over. IND 193/5.

So India stick to their RHB-LHB combination as Jadeja walks in ahead of Sarfaraz. Even a surprise in that regard that Jadeja has come ahead of Washington Sundar. India have slowed down a bit now with Jadeja and Gill aiming to bat safely to Lunch.

Sodhi to Pant, loud shout! He swooshes the ball in to the pads, loud appeal and given! Pant goes for the review but it looks plumb. Umpire's call on wickets and OUT, Pant falls! A delivery has finally managed to rush past Pant's defences. Sodhi gets the ball turn a mile from length as Pant rocks back to defend and plays around the ball. Huge wicket for NZ. Interesting that Jadeja has walked in ahead of Sarfaraz Khan.

Rishabh Pant lbw b Sodhi 60 (59b 8x4 2x6)

Gill and Pant have a tricky phase to face here. Pant has been a touch iffy in the last few overs, itching to take on the spinners. He's already been handed a reprieve as India would want these two to steer through at least to Lunch. Gill, meanwhile, has looked supremely confident with his feet this morning.

A bit of pre-emptiveness from Pant as he charges and miscues Phillips over mid-wicket for two runs. Did not connect the slog there but gets away with it. IN THE AIR AGAIN AND DROPPED AGAIN! A second drop off Phillips' bowling and Pant gets a massive lifeline. He steps out to slog over mid-off and Matt Henry puts down the ball at long-off! IND 169/4 in 35 overs

Play resumes after drinks. It was an excellent first hour of play for India, adding 77 more to the board without a loss of wicket. It has been a rare spell of positive batting for India this series. 

Phillips is using some nice flight on his deliveries to keep Pant back in his tracks here. A nicely tossed-up delivery moves just past the outside-edge on the full. Pant remains stoic as he taps out deliveries nonchalantly. IND 163/4

Sodhi is struggling to get his lengths and lines right here. He hands a long hop that nearly has Shubman Gill crouching down to the ground with the sweep. 

Shubman Gill brings up his FIFTY in 66 balls as India carry out a firm counter-attack. Pant reverse-sweeps Ish Sodhi first ball and moves up to 49. And Pant moves to his half-century in 36 balls - the fastest fifty by an Indian against NZ! IND 159/4

Pant is unchained now. He takes a liking to the mid-wicket fence as he charges Phillips for a FOUR, forcing the bowler to go shorter. And Pant cashes in once again as he pulls hard across the turf for another FOUR. IND 151/4

Pant's onslaught continues as he launches a powerful reverse-sweep past point for FOUR. Another one down the ground! Ajaz floats the ball and Pant muscles it over long-off for a massive SIX! Pant's sped to 40 off only 29 balls! IND 142/4 in 28 overs

A brief stoppage in play as Pant faces some concern with his right eye. The physio has come in to tend to him and he's fine to continue now. Change in attack as Phillips comes in. Gill goes for the big shot first up and he skies it. IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Substitute fielder Mark Chapman has spilt the ball while running in from long-on. Gill's eyes lit up on seeing the half-tracker and he miscued the hit while lunging forward. Phillips is in disbelief. Big moment in the game, you'd reckon? IND 131/4

Rishabh Pant won't hold back. He steps out and smites Ajaz high into the second-tier over long-on for SIX! Runs coming in slightly easy this morning for India. IND 126/4

Gill has come in with renewed positivity here, particularly while taking on Ajaz Patel. The left-armer has also been inconsistent with his lines, conceding regular singles.

Ajaz flattens his length gently and Pant instantly unfurls a little paddle-ramp from the middle-stump line. The ball races down to the fine-leg fence for FOUR and Pant has made it clear that he won't shy away from his strokes this morning. IND 114/4 in 24 overs

Interesting plans from NZ to restrict Pant's movement here. Wicket-keeper Blundell stands up to the stumps with the slip fielders holding back in their regulation positions. That restricts Pant from using the charged drives to the seamers. He responds with a flick to mid-on for a single.