Chasing a mammoth target of 540, New Zealand were reduced to 140/5 at stumps on Day 3 after India declared their innings on 276/6 at Wankhede.
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India look all set to win the second Test and the two-match Test series against New Zealand, as they found themselves in a commanding position at the end of Day 3. Virat Kohli’s men declared at 276-7 in their second innings with the bat, setting a mammoth target of 540 for the visitors. The Kiwis are already in a difficult position as they find themselves at 140-5 and it seems highly unlikely that they will get anything from the match. The target was always going to be difficult for the Kiwis but they got off to the worst possible start. They lost an early wicket and then kept losing batters at regular intervals. Openers Tom Latham and Will Young could only score six and 20 runs respectively. Veteran batter Ross Taylor was disappointing yet again as he was dismissed for six runs.
The Indian top-order did a fantastic job in comparison with the bat during the second innings, as opener Mayank Agarwal scored a brilliant 62 with Cheteshwar Pujara making his presence felt as well. With the ball, Ravichandran Ashwin showed his class as he bagged three wickets on the day to leave New Zealand reeling. Axar Patel picked the crucial wicket of Daryl Mitchell and conceded 42 runs. The Kiwis still retain some hope after Mitchell did a good job for the Kiwis with the bat, recording a fine half-century under pressure. Mitchell used his skill and experience to score 60 runs in 92 deliveries. Henry Nicholls was also quite impressive with the bat as he remained unbeaten on 36 at the end of the day. Rachin Ravindra is unbeaten on two.
India came into Day 3 at 69-0 with openers Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara looking in good form. Mayank would go on to make a brilliant half-century as he scored 62 runs off 108 deliveries in a knock that included eight boundaries and one maximum. He built a 107-run stand with Pujara who also played quite well to score 47 off 97 deliveries.
Shubman Gill, who was nursing an injury on Day 2, showed incredible character to walk out to the middle at number three and do a fine job. The youngster just missed out on his half-century as he scored 47 runs off 75 deliveries. Gill hit four boundaries and one maximum. Skipper Virat Kohli was dismissed for a duck in the first innings but he played a decent knock this time around. He scored 36 runs off 84 deliveries. Down the order, all-rounder Axar Patel played a quickfire knock as he remained unbeaten on 41 off just 26 deliveries.
New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel did an incredible job with the ball yet again as he picked four wickets for 106 runs. Ajaz had taken all 10 wickets in the first innings to script history and become only the third player ever in Test cricket history to do so. Ravindra also did a good job with the ball, bagging three wickets for 56 runs.
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