What To Expect From Day 3 Of IND vs NZ 3rd Test In Mumbai?

Bhargav Dixit

Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill put together a 90-run stand today. [Source: @BCCI/X]Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill put together a 90-run stand today. [Source: @BCCI/X]

A lot happened on the second day of the third Test of the ongoing New Zealand’s tour of India at the Wankhede Stadium today. Almost certain of finishing on Day 3, this Test will be remembered for bowlers’ domination. However, before getting dominated, batters from both the teams tried their best to score runs at a brisk pace.

With as many as 348 runs scored across 84.1 overs at a run rate of 4.13 on the second day, a section of fans might call it a batters’ day. That said, the fall of as many as 15 wickets makes one think of the otherwise.

Irrespective of which side of the debate you’re on, no one can deny the fact that Day 2 has guaranteed a riveting finish to this historic series. Here’s all that could happen on what should be an action-packed Day 3:

An Outright Result

Often known as a “moving day“ in Test matches, Day 3 of this Mumbai Test will witness the end of it considering the situation players find themselves in. Therefore, extending Wankhede Stadium’s streak of producing outright results in this format.

Having finished Day 2 on 171/9 in 43.3 overs, New Zealand are currently leading by 143 runs. Any number of runs which Ajaz Patel and William O’Rourke manage to score tomorrow will be nothing short of bonus for the visitors.

Barring any sort of miracle, one expects them to lost their final wicket of the series within the first 30 minutes or so. Subsequently, either India would seal the run-chase or register another embarrassing batting collapse – all within the same day. Assuming they bat throughout the day, expect them to score the required number of runs because seldom do modern-day batters bat so slow.

Will India be able to chase a target?

With 11 out of the 19 Tests which have produced results at this ground won by the team batting first, New Zealand would be confident of exposing India’s weakness against spin yet again.

As far as the highest successful run-chase at Wankhede is concerned, South Africa had chased down a 163-run target on a Day 4 pitch 24 years ago.

All the remaining four successful Test run-chases here have been below the 100-run mark. Speaking particularly of the home team, its only successful attempt had come whilst chasing a 48-run target against England four decades ago.

Speaking of the fourth innings in the recent past, the Black Caps were bundled out for 167 in 56.3 overs in a 540-run chase in the last Test played in Mumbai.

The highest fourth innings total in a drawn contest at this venue belongs to India for scoring 242/9 in a 243-run chase against West Indies 13 years ago. Hence, it won’t be impossible to chase anything in vicinity of 200 runs.

Increased Workload For Spinners

Irrespective of what India get to chase or whether they’ll be able to do it or not, expect spinners to operate in tandem for elongated spells on Sunday as well. Out of a total of 168.5 overs bowled across the first two days, spinners have been in action for 142.5 overs as compared to pacers’ 26 overs.

Not sure about when he would get to play another Test match, Patel, New Zealand's most successful bowler in the match thus far, would readily accept the challenge at a ground which saw him entering an elite club today.