Mumbai Test: India lead by 405 runs at lunch on Day 3 courtesy Mayank Agarwal's half-century

India were 142 for 2 in their second innings at the lunch break on Day 3 of the second Test against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. At the end of the first session, the hosts boasted an overall lead of 405 runs. Captain Virat Kohli and Shumban Gill were batting at 11 and 7 respectively at the break. The hosts resumed play on the third day at 69 for no loss. First innings’ centurion Mayank Agarwal started the day at 39 and Cheteshwar Pujara who opened the innings was unbeaten at 37.

Both the openers continued to play positive cricket and quickly took India’s lead past 350. Mayank and Pujara were counter-attacking Ajaz Patel, who had made history by taking 10 wickets in the first innings. Pujara pulled one away to the boundary off Ajaz before Mayank reached his half-century with a maximum over extra cover. However, the 33-year-old spinner got the better of Mayank as the Karnataka batsman was caught at long-off by Young. And then, the Indian-origin bowler took his 12th wicket of the match when he dismissed Pujara three short of a half-century.

Kohli and Gill continued from where the openers had left. Gill hit Kylie Jamieson for a couple of boundaries in separate overs. Both of them made a 27-run partnership going into the lunch break.

India end Day 2 in a dominant position

India seemed well and truly in control of the second and final Test match against New Zealand, as they ended Day 2 in dominant fashion. The hosts were 69-0 with a lead of 332 runs, having been bowled out for 325 runs. Mayank Agarwal was the highest run-scorer as he made 150 runs with Axar Patel scoring 52. New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel had scripted history as he became only the third bowler ever to pick ten wickets in a single innings in a Test match.

The Kiwi batting order, however, completely tumbled earlier as they were bowled out for just 62, their lowest Test total against India. Ravichandran Ashwin bagged four wickets and Mohammed Siraj picked three. India decided to not enforce a follow on which saw them continue to bat in the second innings.