On an electrifying morning of Test cricket at Pune, Yashasvi Jaiswal catapulted India’s run chase with a remarkable 46* from just 36 balls in pursuit of New Zealand’s challenging target of 359. This effort marked a strong start on the third morning of the second Test, as India looked to defy the odds and overcome the pitch’s unpredictable behavior and their opponents’ commanding lead.
Jaiswal, unfazed by the hefty target set by the Kiwis, made an immediate statement with a six off the second ball of India’s second innings bowled by the seasoned Tim Southee. This aggressive outset mirrored India’s bold strategy in their second innings replay in Bengaluru, showcasing a similar level of determination despite losing captain Rohit Sharma for a mere score.
Sharma, contributing modestly before his dismissal, became the eighth casualty claimed by New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner in this match. Attempting to elevate India’s position, he advanced down the pitch only to offer a catch off his bat-pad to a watchful short leg fielder. Nonetheless, Jaiswal was not alone in this offensive pursuit. His young teammate Shubman Gill, also unbeaten at 22 from 20 deliveries, demonstrated marked improvement in handling spin bowling, effectively employing sweeps that disrupted New Zealand’s plans, though these shots came naturally rather than being premeditated.
The glistening moment of this session was undoubtedly Jaiswal’s spectacular lofted shot against Glenn Phillips over extra cover, a testament to his confidence and skill, executed just before the session break. Although the Pune pitch posed many challenges with its inconsistent patches, the tempo set by India had clearly caught New Zealand off guard, shifting the momentum however slightly in India’s favor.
Earlier in the day, the Indian bowling attack wrapped up the remaining five New Zealand wickets, allowing just an additional 57 runs to their overnight tally.
. Initially, the tourists appeared resilient during the first half-hour of play. However, this veneer quickly crumbled once Ravindra Jadeja dispatched Tom Blundell with a delivery that skittled the stumps, initiating a cascade of dismissals. Santner fell to a deep-field catch against Jadeja, while Southee nicked a catch to the slip cordon, and Ajaz Patel replicated a common error, skying a catch to the outfield. Despite Glenn Phillips’ valiant efforts from the other end, he found himself rapidly devoid of partners, concluding with a run-out of number 11, William ORourke, at the non-striker’s end.
Even with their late batting collapse, New Zealand enjoyed a substantial lead of 358 runs, one that would be expected to hold on most occasions, particularly on a deteriorating surface such as this. Yet, India’s attacking spirit had already whittled down 81 runs from their target with minimal damage, a feat that illustrated their determination. Given their approach to the innings, it is anticipated that India will continue to apply maximum pressure on the New Zealand bowling unit. However, this strategy also opens up opportunities for the bowlers from the visiting squad to penetrate the Indian batting armor.
As the cricketing world watches on, this thrilling encounter in pune is all set for another nail-biting day, with a thrilling battle between bat and ball guaranteed. The home side’s resolve and bold gameplay ensure that each session is infused with an uncertain tension, setting the stage for cricket at its most enthralling.
Brief scores reflect India’s aggressive start and New Zealand’s earlier efforts, reading: New Zealand 259 and 255 (anchored by Tom Latham’s composed 86; Washington Sundar took 4-56 and Ravindra Jadeja 3-72) lead India 156 and 81/1 (with Yashasvi Jaiswal on 46*; Mitchell Santner 1-30) by 277 runs.