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India’s struggle in the test series against New Zealand
It has been going to a unfolding drama at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, the third and final test between India and New Zealand turned into very crucial for Indian team perspective especially their road to WTC final, testing not the Indian player’s skills but their spirit as well.
New Zealand who have already clinched the series by 2-0 and created history with victories in Bengaluru and Pune test, will be aiming for an unprecedented whitewash against Indian Soil, a feat that would further etch their name in cricket history.
The context of the series
Before the series begin, India had been undefeated at home in a test series since 2012, faced an unexpected challenge from a New Zealand team that seemed to have unraveled the mysteries of Indian pitches.
The first two tests saw Kiwi’s spinner, especially Mitchel Santner, weave a web around the Indian batting lineup, showcasing a masterclass in spin bowling that left Indian fans in disbelief.
Day 1 at Wankhede
The third test started with New Zealand choosing bat first, a decision that seemed to set the tone for another day of dominance. However India with their back against the wall, showed signs of fight.
The early dismissal of Devon Conway by Aakash deep for just four runs injected a brief surge of hope into the Indian camp, Washington Sundar’s dismissal of Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra highlighted a moment of Indian resurgence reducing New Zealand to 92 for 3 at Lunch.
Yet, this score line also underscores the precarious position India finds itself in with the possibility of a whitewash looming large.
Indian Bowling on Day 1
The reliance on spin was evident with Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar in action. However the effectiveness of these bowlers, especially Ashwin has been under scrutiny.
His performance in this series, particularly after his successes in Australia, raises questions about his adaptability on home tracks.
Kiwi’s Strategy
Their approach has been straightforward yet effective – patience with the bat against Indian spinners and exploiting any signs of wear on the pitch. Ajaz Patel’s historical performance in the last series at Wankhede might have inspired this approach, turning the narrative of spin being an Indian advantage on its head.
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