Team India (IND) faced a crushing defeat against New Zealand (NZ) in the third and final Test of the series, succumbing to unbeaten run-chase pressure. The match, which took place at the historic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, saw Rishabh Pant emerge as a standout player for India with his natural and aggressive batting style. Despite the loss, Pant's performance has given the team some hope and positives ahead of their upcoming tour of Australia. However, the devastating defeat has also hindered India's chances for qualifying in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, as they slip to the second spot in the points table behind Australia.
Ajaz Patel, playing in his hometown of Mumbai, shone with 11 wickets overall to help New Zealand sweep the series against India 3-0 at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Despite a strong performance from Rishabh Pant, Ajaz's clever tactics eventually led to his dismissal, securing him the Player of the Match award. In an exclusive interview, Ajaz credited his success to finding his rhythm on the Mumbai pitch, where he had previously taken 10 wickets in an inning against India in 2021. Meanwhile, Will Young was named Player of the Series for his solid performances in the absence of captain Kane Williamson.
New Zealand's Ajaz Patel once again showed his mastery on the Wankhede pitch, taking a historic 10-wicket haul against India. Despite playing just 9 Tests since that massive feat, Patel has solidified his role as the Black Caps' India specialist through smart selections by the New Zealand selectors. His love for the game and humble approach to his success sets him apart even as he continues to face challenges from India's Rishabh Pant.
As India's top-order collapses in the Wankhede match against New Zealand, questions about Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirement plans arise. Are the legendary batsmen on the wrong side of 30 and struggling with the physical demands of the sport? Or has their recent World T20I triumph dimmed their drive? While emotions and pride may drive them, science suggests that age and physical limitations can catch up with even the fittest and most driven athletes. The possibility of staggered retirements adds to the uncertainty of the situation, as the two heroes contemplate their futures in the game.
Ajaz Patel, who made history with his 10-wicket haul against India in 2018 at Wankhede, has once again put Black Caps in a strong position on the same ground. However, the mystery behind his sparse appearances in just 9 Tests has been revealed - New Zealand's smart and customized selection process based on specific conditions. Even Patel himself has embraced this approach, recognizing the importance of wise team selections in a country with only 70,000 registered cricketers. But with his impressive performance in Mumbai, New Zealand's strategy seems to be paying off as Patel became the first bowler to give his team a series win against India on their home turf in 12 years.
On Day 2 of the third Test between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, Kiwi spinner Ajaz Patel put on a spin bowling masterclass reminiscent of his memorable outing at the venue three years ago. Born in Mumbai, Ajaz once again proved to be a menace for the Indian batters and claimed an impressive 5 wickets in India's first innings. With this, he became the first overseas spinner to claim 5 wickets at Wankhede Stadium since 2011.
Indian star bowlers Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin deliver impressive performances, taking multiple wickets and dismissing top New Zealand players during the second day of the third cricket test match at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. With the partnership of Jadeja, Ashwin, and Ishant Sharma, the Indian cricket team gains the upper hand against their competitors, marking an exciting turn of events for fans watching the match. As the two teams continue to battle it out, the outcome of this thrilling test match remains uncertain.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar took to social media to express his confusion over India's batting decisions in the ongoing third Test against New Zealand. After Sarfaraz Khan, who has been in good form, was demoted to the eighth position in the batting order, Manjrekar criticized the decision made by skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir. Sarfaraz's previous performances at the Wankhede Stadium, where he has scored 601 runs in 6 innings, make the decision even more puzzling.
The third and final Test between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai saw Team India's Sarfaraz Khan getting out without scoring. In a video that made rounds on social media, cameras captured the stunned expressions of Sarfaraz's father and brother as they watched his dismissal. Despite the early setback, India managed to take a lead of 28 runs with a strong partnership between Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. However, Gill fell short of his century before Washington Sundar's late blitz helped India surpass New Zealand's first-innings total.
The second day of the third and final test between India and New Zealand saw a fiery start from Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill, who hammered the NZ bowlers relentlessly. However, NZ's Ish Sodhi turned the tide by dismissing Pant for 60, after which India suffered a horrific collapse, losing 3 wickets in 15 minutes. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Siraj, and Virat Kohli all fell victim to NZ's attack, leaving India at 195/5 at lunch.