The pitch's behavior on the third day will determine the outcome of the final Test between New Zealand and India, according to spinner Ajaz Patel. Despite a small target, Patel believes the inconsistency of the pitch will make it challenging for batters. With a lead in excess of 150 unlikely, Patel and the Kiwis will have to rely on their spinners to restrict India in order to secure a historic whitewash victory on Indian soil.
Ajaz Patel Predicts Challenging Conditions in Crucial India vs. New Zealand Test
New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel has expressed his belief that the unpredictable behavior of the pitch at the Holkar Stadium in Indore will play a decisive role in the outcome of the third and final Test match between India and New Zealand.
Background:
The two teams are currently locked at 1-1 in the series, with India winning the first Test in Kanpur and New Zealand triumphing in the second Test in Mumbai. The third Test will commence on January 26 and could potentially determine the series victor.
Patel's Assessment:
Patel, who has taken 44 wickets in 12 Tests for New Zealand, believes that the pitch in Indore will provide a significant challenge for batters due to its inconsistency. He said, "The pitch's behavior on the third day will determine the outcome of the Test. It's a very challenging surface, and it makes it difficult for batters to score runs consistently."
Despite India setting a relatively modest target of 197 for New Zealand in the previous Test, Patel believes that the fickle nature of the pitch will make it difficult for batters to chase down even that total.
Kiwis' Strategy:
With a lead of 150 runs unlikely, Patel and the rest of the New Zealand team will need to rely heavily on their spinners to restrict India's batsmen. Patel, along with Mitchell Santner and Will Somerville, will be key in bowling tight spells and preventing the Indian batters from building large partnerships.
Top 5 FAQs:
Why is Ajaz Patel predicting a challenging pitch for the final Test? Answer: Patel believes that the pitch at the Holkar Stadium in Indore is inconsistent and will make it difficult for batters to score runs consistently.
Is India's target of 197 for New Zealand in the previous Test likely to be difficult to chase down? Answer: Yes, Patel believes that the inconsistent pitch will make it challenging for batters to chase down even that relatively modest target.
What will be New Zealand's strategy for the final Test? Answer: The Kiwis will rely heavily on their spinners to restrict India's batsmen and prevent them from building large partnerships.
What impact has Ajaz Patel had on New Zealand's bowling unit? Answer: Patel has been an integral part of New Zealand's bowling unit, taking 44 wickets in 12 Tests. His left-arm spin has been particularly effective in creating pressure on opposing batsmen.
What is the historical significance of this Test series for New Zealand? Answer: A victory for New Zealand in the final Test would secure a historic whitewash victory on Indian soil, a feat that no other country has achieved.
In a high-scoring match, Royal Challengers Bengaluru registered their first win at the Wankhede Stadium since 2015 against Mumbai Indians. After scoring a massive 221/5, RCB restricted MI to 209/9 with Krunal Pandya taking 4 wickets in the final over. Despite brilliant half-centuries by Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma's efforts in the dying overs fell short in the end.
Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham will play against each other in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong's newly opened Kai Tak Stadium, marking the first North London derby to be held outside the United Kingdom. Liverpool will also take on AC Milan in a re-match of the thrilling 2005 Champions League final at the same venue. The matches are expected to provide an exciting preview of the upcoming Premier League season and give Hong Kong fans a chance to witness the intensity of a North London derby.
Max Verstappen secured his first victory of the 2025 season at the Japanese Grand Prix, dominating from pole to finish ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. The Dutch driver fought off a strong challenge from Norris, who finished in second place, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri rounding out the podium in third. Verstappen's fourth straight win in Japan brings him within one point of Norris at the top of the drivers' championship, as the two young racers continue their intense battle for the title.
Max Verstappen impressed with a dominant performance at the Japanese Grand Prix as he beat rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to secure his first win of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite a tense finish and a controversial incident during pit stops, Verstappen maintained his composure and took the checkered flag, closing the gap to just one point behind Norris in the F1 Drivers' Championship. The win also solidifies Verstappen's position as a top contender in the sport for years to come.
In a thrilling race at Suzuka, Red Bull's Max Verstappen secured his first victory of the season, becoming the first driver in history to win four consecutive races at the Japanese circuit. His McLaren rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished in second and third place respectively, but Verstappen's impressive start and flawless driving allowed him to maintain his lead throughout the 53-lap race. With this win, Verstappen has closed the gap on Norris in the driver's championship, adding even more excitement to the ongoing battle between the two talented drivers.
Mumbai Indians' young cricketer Tilak Varma faced an early exit from their IPL match against Lucknow Super Giants, leaving fans stunned. Despite scoring a steady 25 runs in 23 balls, Varma was retired out by his own team's decision. Coach Mahela Jayawardene defended the move, stating that it was a tactical requirement for the team's chase for the high target set by the opposition. Despite the disappointment, MI went on to win the match with a comfortable margin.
The Los Angeles Lakers failed to maintain their quick start against the Golden State Warriors, struggling on offense as Luka Doncic's magic seemed to disappear. Despite getting the matchups they wanted, the Lakers couldn't convert on their shots and were unable to capitalize on opportunities as the game progressed. This was a rare off-night for Doncic, who was stymied by the Warriors' defense and a lack of calls in his favor.
Get all the updates on the Premier League news conferences for Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as reaction to Nottingham Forest's win over Man Utd and Arsenal's victory over Fulham with Saka returning but Gabriel injured. Is Ruben Amorim right about the pressure being too big for young players at Man Utd? Join the conversation on #bbcfootball or via WhatsApp and text. Tune in for live updates and commentary on tonight's six Premier League matches.
Rising Indian cricketer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has made a shocking decision to leave Mumbai and join Goa in the upcoming domestic season, as he seeks a change for personal reasons. The left-handed opener, who has already shown great potential in international cricket, will now represent a lesser-known team in hopes of making a bigger impact. This move is unprecedented, especially considering Jaiswal's successful stint with Mumbai and a lack of big names in the Goa team. Fans eagerly await the results of this surprising shift.
After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced their first eight-wicket home defeat during IPL 2025, team mentor Zaheer Khan expressed his dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions. He stated that the curator did not consider it a home game, and requested for more support from the home facilities in order for the team to perform better in their home ground. Despite expecting the track to favour spin bowling, LSG's decision to bring in M Siddharth instead of Prince Yadav backfired as PBKS's fast bowling group proved to be too much for them.