India Struggles at 86-4 as Spinners Dominate in Third Test

AFP/APP

Mumbai: India faced a challenging day in the third Test against New Zealand, ending the first day at 86-4 in response to New Zealand’s total of 235. The hosts are trailing by 149 runs at the Wankhede Stadium, where spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar exploited favorable conditions.

Shubman Gill was at the crease with 31 runs, accompanied by Rishabh Pant with just one run at stumps. New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal for 30 and Mohammed Siraj for a duck, while Virat Kohli was run out for four following a direct hit from Matt Henry.

Captain Rohit Sharma managed 18 runs before edging a delivery from Henry to slip. The Indian batting lineup, which initially resisted the spinners with a 53-run partnership between Jaiswal and Gill, faltered under pressure.

New Zealand’s Will Young and Daryl Mitchell provided stability for their team, scoring 71 and 82 runs, respectively. Jadeja claimed five wickets for 65 runs, marking his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, while Sundar contributed with four wickets, wrapping up the innings in 65.4 overs.