New Zealand on the brink as India continues domination at Wankhede

The Men in Blue continued their domination in the second Test of the two-match series against New Zealand on Day 3 in Mumbai, stretching their giant first-innings lead to an insurmountable target before leaving the tourists on the brink of a sizable defeat. 

Having bundled out the visitors for just 62 in the afternoon on Day 2 after posting 325 of their own, India had reached 69 without a wicket at the close of play on Saturday. Resuming their innings on Sunday , the Indians added another 207 runs to their total and went on to build inroads into the Kiwi innings. 

Mayank Agarwal added a fifty (62) to his tally of 150 in the first innings. The Indian opener once again looked the most exceptional batter from either side on a surface offering the spinners sharp turn and bounce from the straight.

Encouragingly for India, Cheteshwar Pujara also batted well for his 47 before edging one to slips and young Shubman Gill, who couldn’t open the innings because of a finger injury, produced a freeflowing 47 off 75 when he came out.

Skipper Virat Kohli found life a touch difficult during his stay but would still be pleased to have spent time out in the middle upon his comeback from a short break for a knock of 36 off 84 before cutting one back onto the stumps. 

With India looking to declare early, Axar Patel attacked the tiring New Zealand spinners for his quickfire 41*, including four maximums. India then declared with a score of 276/7, leaving New Zealand a hopeless task of chasing 540 with more than seven sessions left in the game.

The rest of the script went according to plan for India as they went on to dismiss half the touring side by the stumps on Day 3. The Kiwis lost their stand-in captain and batting rock Tom Latham (6) early to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who then added two scalps to his kitty for the innings.

Daryl Mitchell (60) showed admirable courage through his counter-attacking effort but then played one high-risk stroke too many, top-edging the ball through the off-side against left-arm spinner Patel. 

New Zealand’s struggles were summed up by a painstaking effort from the experienced Ross Taylor, who displayed zero confidence in his defensive game and got out slog-sweeping to Ashwin. 

Left-hander Henry Nicholls survived for his 36 till stumps but was incredibly lucky not to be dismissed early by Ashwin. 

With Ashwin and Axar being indomitable, an early finish looks on the cards on Day 4. 

Brief scores 

New Zealand 62 & 140/5 (Mitchell 60; Ashwin 3/27, Patel 1/42) need further 400 runs to beat India 325 & 276/7 dec (Agarwal 62, Gill 47; Patel 4/106)