IND vs NZ | Spin duo Washington and Jadeja dominate Kiwis while India’s top order falters late

Debayan Sinha

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

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India took control of the game, thanks to Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, who restricted New Zealand to 235 runs. Daryl Mitchell's 82 runs weren’t enough to withstand India’s spin attack whereas India suffered a jolt towards the end of the day and finished at 86/4 and trailing by 149 runs.

‌Buoyed by their recent series victory, New Zealand captain Tom Latham won the toss and elected to bat at Wankhede Stadium. The visitors encountered an early setback when Akash Deep dismissed Devon Conway in the fourth over. The pitch provided ample pace and bounce, aiding both Akash and Mohammad Siraj as they exploited the conditions. With Will Young and Latham at the crease, New Zealand reached 27/1 by the eighth over. India’s captain Rohit Sharma then introduced spin, bringing Ravichandran Ashwin into the attack for the ninth over, where he bowled brilliantly and conceded just one run. Recognizing the pitch's tendency to favour spin, Washington Sundar was brought in from the other end to stem the Kiwi scoring. The second breakthrough came when Washington dismissed the Kiwi skipper, who scored 28 off 44 balls. The Chennai native struck again, claiming the wicket of Rachin Ravindra as New Zealand struggled against India’s spin attack. As India gained control with the ball, the visitors reached 92/3 at lunch, having batted for 28 overs.

After lunch, the hot and humid conditions led to multiple drinks breaks and cold towels, but the heat didn't deter Young, who reached his half-century off 94 deliveries. Young and Daryl Mitchell kept the scoreboard moving, rotating the strike effectively and building a solid partnership. Their collaboration resulted in a 70-run stand, taking New Zealand to 142/3 in 41 overs. The breakthrough came when Ravindra Jadeja dismissed the in-form Young for 71 runs off 138 balls, and he quickly followed up by taking the wicket of Tom Blundell, further destabilizing the Kiwi middle order. Despite the challenging conditions, Mitchell fought on and scored a fifty in 90 deliveries, but Jadeja struck again to dismiss Glenn Phillips for 17 runs. As Mitchell and Ish Sodhi batted together, New Zealand found themselves at 192/6 in 55 overs when tea was called.

Post tea, Sodhi and Mitchell added 23 runs, taking New Zealand’s score to 205/6 before Ravindra Jadeja dismissed both Sodhi and Matt Henry in quick succession. Mitchell continued his aggressive play, hitting occasional sixes, but fell for 82 when Washington Sundar dismissed him in the 66th over. Sundar then claimed Ajaz Patel’s wicket, wrapping up New Zealand’s innings at 235. Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma started steadily, but Sharma was dismissed by Matt Henry in the seventh over, leaving India at 32/1. Jaiswal and Shubman Gill then attacked the Kiwi bowlers, reaching 78/1 in 17 overs, but the momentum shifted as Ajaz Patel took Jaiswal and night-watchman Mohammad Siraj, followed by a run-out of Virat Kohli for just four. At stumps, India stood at 89/4, trailing by 149 runs with Gill and Rishabh Pant at the crease.

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