India Vs New Zealand 1st Test, Day 3: Hosts lead Kiwis by 108 runs at tea
India lead New Zealand by 108 runs at tea
Ravindra Jadeja was at his absolute best on Day 3 of the first Test between India and New Zealand at Green Park, Kanpur. He ran through the Black Caps’ batting line-up, registering his fifth five-wicket haul in the longest format. More importantly, he has now the best average for spinner, who has taken over 50 wickets, in Asia. All the same, India bowled New Zealand out for 262, taking first-innings lead of 56 runs. With over two days’ play remaining, India are likely to take their time and post as many runs on the scoreboard, to make New Zealand chase a colossal total on this rank-turner.
New Zealand were 152 for 1 at the start of Day 3, with Kane Williamson and Tom Latham at the crease. They had put up 117 runs for the first wicket and looked good for a big score. However, along with the ball, India’s fortunes turned as well. The track that did not offer help for the spinners transformed into a delight for the spin duo of Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. However, the last session of Day Two was called off due to the rain. In addition, dark clouds loomed over for the last two days. Rarely did we see the sun drying out the track.
As a result, turn and bounce was not expected on Day Three as well. Nonetheless, as fate may have it, the ball gripped the surface, gimmicking the batsmen in trouble. Yet again, it was the bowling spearhead Ashwin who provided the much-needed impetus in the form of Latham’s wicket. Ashwin came round the wicket and angled it in, making the ball hold its line. Latham tried to play with the turn, eventually getting trapped in front. Also read: Ross Taylor dismissed for duck; trolled on Twitter
Next wicket did not take long. This time, at the receiving end was the experienced Ross Taylor. It took only two deliveries for Jadeja to get the better of the New Zealander, gifting him a duck.
Soon, Williamson joined him in the pavilion. Nonetheless, it took a peach of delivery to dismiss the in-form New Zealand captain, as the ball sharply spun in, dissecting the gap between the bat and pad. All of a sudden, New Zealand lost 3 wickets in 19 runs.
Later, Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner added 49 runs for the fifth wicket, steadying the Black Caps innings. However, the kind of form Jadeja was in, Ronchi’s score limited to 38.
Meanwhile, both spinners yielded serious turn and bounce, making it difficult for the opposition to score runs. But New Zealand continued with their attacking brand of cricket. Santner, along with BJ Watling, stitched up a vital 36-run partnership, taking the team closer to India’s total.
India’s go-to bowler Ashwin put New Zealand in further enigma. Santner was outfoxed by his loopy delivery. The scorecard read 255 for 6. Then came the sudden downfall. New Zealand lost as many as 4 wickets for 7 runs, out of which Jadeja scalped 3. Also read: Ganguly: Give newly-elected selectors some time
It was the 95th over. Mark Craig was at crease.
DOT! Jadeja pitches it outside off. The ball drifts inside, leaving no time for the Craig to decided shot selection.
OUT! Flatter trajectory this time, pushing Craig onto the back foot. The ball hits his back leg. A loud shout from Jadeja, and the umpire raises his finger.
OUT! Two in two for Jaddu. He does not put any flight on this one as well. Ish Sodhi, like Craig, rocks back. The ball zips back sharply. It’s a no-brainer for umpire. Jadeja is on a hat-trick.
DOT! Jadeja tosses it up. Trent Boult nicely defends it. Hat-trick misses Sir Jadeja.
DOT! Boult plays with caution, keeping the ball down.
OUT! Jadeja gets a five-for. Boult tries to sweep, but inside-edges onto the boots, holing it straight to Rohit Sharma at forward short-leg. Also read – Agarkar: Indian pacers will get better with experience
Ashwin, from the other end, did not waste time, taking the last wicket to scalp his 5th four-wicket haul (to remind you, he has 18 five-wicket hauls in this format). India led New Zealand by 56 runs.
Indian openers, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul, came with intent to score runs. Rahul, especially, looked in an ominous touch yet again. Trent Boult, however, was given only an over to seam his way through Indian batsmen’s defence. But captain Williamson decided to counterattack with spinners from both end.
Rahul, meanwhile, kept playing his strokes. Off-spinner Craig slightly pitched the ball up outside off, compelling Rahul to reach out for the ball. On another day, it would have created an edge. All the same, the kind of form Rahul is in, he made sure he crisply drove it past mid-off. The next boundary came off Santner’s boundary. Rahul shimmied down the track and spanked it over mid-off. The foot work was lovely and the execution even more immaculate. Also read: When will Guptill justify his spot in Tests?
Amidst all the proper cricket shots, Rahul played a lovely reverse-sweep. There was no first-slip in place. He read the flight, made the adjustment and helped it fine. His fourth boundary included an element of risk. He took the aerial root and eased it over point.
Rahul was labelled conventional batsmen when he made his debut for India. Given the shots he plays these days, he has covered all the bases in his batsmanship.
Nonetheless, Rahul yet again gave away a good start, perishing on a quickfire 38.
Brief Scores
India 318 all-out (Murali Vijay 65, Cheteshwar Pujara 62; Trent Boult 3 for 67) and 52 for 1 (KL Rahul 38, Mural Vijay 14*; Ish Sodhi 1 for 0) lead New Zealand 262 all-out (Kane Williamson 75, Tom Latham 58; Ravindra Jadeja 5 for 73, Ravichandran Ashwin 4 for 93) by 108 runs
(Kaustubh S. Mayekar, reporter at CricketCountry, played cricket at U-16 level. Like his idol Rahul Dravid, he often shadow-practises cricket shots. His Twitter handle is @kaumedy_)