India were solidly put at 78 for 1 at one stage but they lost three wickets in 8 balls to hand advantage to New Zealand.
In between the loss of the team’s batting pillars, Jaiswal and Shubman Gill (31 not out) forged a 53-run stand for the second wicket before the closing stage collapse.
India’s batting lineup faltered dramatically within a span of 20 minutes, leaving the team in a precarious position at 86/4 after Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar secured early dominance for the hosts by dismissing New Zealand for 235 on a tumultuous first day of the third and final Test on Friday.
Jadeja (5/65) and Sundar (4/81) executed their roles flawlessly; however, India’s batting remained a significant vulnerability as the team lost three wickets in just eight deliveries, beginning with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s (30) puzzling reverse slog sweep. With his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests, Jadeja surpassed former pace bowlers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma, ascending to the fifth position among India’s all-time highest wicket-takers in the format.
Currently boasting 314 wickets, Jadeja trails only Harbhajan Singh (417 wickets) on the all-time list. Following defeats by eight wickets in Bengaluru and 113 runs in Pune, India finds itself in a critical situation to stay in contention for the World Test Championship final, yet the match appears to be slipping from their grasp.
While Virat Kohli’s (4) dismissal to a seemingly innocuous full toss in Pune was an anomaly, the batting stalwart’s run-out in the latter stages of the first day’s play has left India facing a daunting challenge.
The swift decline of India’s batting order reflects a rapidly diminishing confidence, with Rohit Sharma (18) also falling without making a substantial impact.
Amidst the collapse of key batting figures, Jaiswal and Shubman Gill (31 not out) managed to establish a 53-run partnership for the second wicket before the late-stage breakdown.
Rohit, participating in only his second Test at the Wankhede Stadium, showcased some impressive strokes to start quickly but failed to capitalize on a fortunate reprieve.
William O’Rourke missed a challenging catch at fine leg off Henry when Rohit pulled the ball towards his left, with the fielder covering considerable ground to reach it in the fifth over.
In the seventh over, Rohit Sharma exhibited an uncharacteristic approach to a back-of-a-length delivery, attempting to play it towards the leg side. The Indian captain appeared taken aback by the unexpected bounce, resulting in him closing the bat’s face too early, which led to the ball being caught by Tom Latham at second slip.
Following Rohit’s dismissal, Shubman Gill joined Yashasvi Jaiswal, and the pair endeavored to stabilize the innings until Jaiswal was also dismissed.
Earlier in the match, the spinners dominated proceedings, with Ravindra Jadeja (5/65) and Washington Sundar (4/81) collectively claiming nine wickets, restricting New Zealand to a total of 235 after they chose to bat first.
Washington made a significant impact with a vital two-wicket spell, dismissing New Zealand’s captain Tom Latham (28) and the in-form Rachin Ravindra (5).
Despite commendable innings from Will Young (71) and Daryl Mitchell (82), the spin-friendly conditions, coupled with the oppressive humidity and heat, tested the New Zealand batsmen’s resilience as they sought to counter India’s spin attack.
Young and Mitchell initially set New Zealand on course for a substantial first innings total, but Jadeja’s exceptional bowling proved pivotal in curtailing their progress, ultimately giving India the upper hand as he claimed five wickets.
Ravichandran Ashwin, the first spinner utilized by India, did not take any wickets despite his varied bowling, while his fellow spinners effectively capitalized on the pitch conditions, particularly Jadeja, who bowled with greater speed and targeted the stumps.
New Zealand, who faltered from a promising position of 159 for three to being all out for 235, deserved recognition for their tenacity in challenging conditions, particularly as Mitchell, the top scorer of the innings, struggled significantly during his innings.
The robust all-rounder frequently hydrated and often dropped to his knees or lay flat on his back while crafting a determined 82 off 129 deliveries, which included three fours and three sixes.
Mitchell felt the effects of the heat more acutely than others, as he primarily focused on singles and doubles until he reached his first fifty of the tour, with all three of his sixes coming in the latter stages of his innings.
Like Mitchell, Young too looked set for a century but Jadeja’s brilliance ended his knock.
Getting one to turn away against Young’s front-foot defence, Jadeja had the ball kissing the shoulder of the bat and Rohit did the rest at first slip, bringing an end to a fine knock in which Young scored 71 off 138 balls with four fours and two sixes.
