What happened on Day 1 of the 3rd IND vs NZ 2024 Test?
Ravindra Jadeja claimed 5-65 while Washington Sundar picked up 4-81 as India bowled out New Zealand for 235 in 65.4 overs on Day 1 of the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday, November 1. The Kiwis, however, made an excellent comeback to reduce the hosts to 86-4 by stumps.
At one point, India were well-placed at 78-1 in their first innings. However, they lost three wickets for six runs to crumble to 84-4. Yashasvi Jaiswal (30) was bowled attempting a premeditated reverse sweep off Ajaz Patel. Nightwatchman Mohammed Siraj (0) fell first ball, trapped in front of the stumps with a full ball that turned past his defense. To make matters worse, he wasted a review as well.
If India thought things couldn't get any worse, Virat Kohli (4) threw his wicket away attempting a non-existent single. Matt Henry scored a brilliant direct hit from mid-on to catch Kohli well short of his crease. Earlier, skipper Rohit Sharma's (18) poor form continued as he nicked a back of length delivery from Henry to second slip, attempting a tentative defensive stroke.
The day began with Tom Latham again winning the toss and deciding to bat first. The Kiwis lost Devon Conway for 4 as he was trapped lbw by Akash Deep with a full ball that seamed in. Skipper Latham perished for 28 off 44, knocked over by a peach from Sundar that straightened after pitching. The Indian off-spinner then cleaned up Rachin Ravindra (5) for the third innings in a row with a similar delivery.
Will Young (71) and Daryl Mitchell (82) led a commendable fightback for the visitors, adding 87 runs for the fourth wicket. Braving the harsh Mumbai heat, both batters managed to keep India's bowlers at bay. Till the duo were at the crease, New Zealand looked in control of the proceedings.
The fine partnership ended when Jadeja had Young caught at first slip. The left-arm spinner turned a full ball away from the Kiwi batter and induced an outside edge. In the same over, Jadeja knocked over a clueless Tom Blundell (0) with another full delivery.
Jadeja, Sundar combine to restrict New Zealand to under 240 on Day 1 of the 3rd IND vs NZ 2024 Test
Jadeja continued to trouble the Kiwi batters, cleaning up Glenn Phillips for 17. The New Zealand batter was cleaned up by a quicker one that slided in with the arm. Ish Sodhi (7) was the next to go, trapped leg before by a full delivery that also stayed a touch low. Jadeja completed a well-deserved five-fer when he bowled Henry (0) with one that pitched on middle and turned to hit off stump.
Mitchell, who was holding one end up for New Zealand, was the next to go. He opened the face to a flat ball from Sundar and gave a simple catch to Rohit at slip. It was Sundar who ended the Kiwi innings by trapping Ajaz (7) leg before as the tailender offered no stroke to one that was angled in from round the wicket.