IND vs NZ: 1st Test, Day 3 Review – Indian spinners script a marvelous comeback
India fought back in an admirable fashion on Day 3 of the 1st Test against New Zealand. The visitors resumed the day with their scorecard reading 129/0. But, the Black Caps were bowled out for 296, as the Indian spinners made life miserable for the Black Caps.
India played out 5 overs and ended the day at 14/1, and currently lead New Zealand by 63 runs. On that note, let us take a look at the 3 talking points from Day 3.
Axar Patel spins his web around the Kiwis
Axar Patel produced a superb performance with the ball on Day 3. The left-arm spinner picked up 5 wickets in his 34-over spell and conceded only 62 runs as well. Patel first scalped the big wicket of Ross Taylor and followed that up by trapping Henry Nicolls plumb in front of the stumps.
The left-arm spinner then prized out Tom Latham to further dent the Kiwis. Axar then picked up the wickets of Tom Blundell and Tim Southee to complete his five-wicket haul.
Tom Latham fights a lone battle
Tom Latham was the lone warrior with the willow for the New Zealand side on Day 3. The left-handed opening batsman displayed remarkable patience and consumed 282 balls on his way to a superb 95. Latham literally proved to be impenetrable in his marathon stay out in the middle.
Ravindra scalps Ravindra
The third day of the 1st Test pitted the two RAVINDRAS against each other. Ravindra Jadeja of India against Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand. And, it was Jadeja who won this battle against his opponent by cleaning up the New Zealand batter. Jadeja bowled a delivery from over the wicket that turned viciously into Rachin.
The batsman was caught unawares, and the ball went ‘through the gate’ and shattered Rachin Ravindra’s stumps. The New Zealand willow wielder scored 13 off 23 deliveries.
