Yashasvi Jaiswal has put India in a strong position with an explosive innings of 46* off just 36 balls as India embarked on their chase of the large target of 359 runs set by New Zealand on the third morning of the second Test in Pune. Despite the challenging nature of the pitch and the intimidating target, Jaiswal showed no signs of being deterred. He began with an emphatic shot, hitting the second ball of the innings delivered by Tim Southee for a six, making his intentions clear from the outset. Mirroring India’s aggressive approach in their second innings against New Zealand in Bengaluru, the home team’s intent was evident once more, though they did face a setback with the early dismissal of Rohit Sharma, their captain.
Rohit Sharma became Mitchell Santner’s eighth victim in the match. In an untimely end, the Indian captain attempted to advance down the pitch, only to offer a bat-pad catch to a waiting short leg fielder. His departure was untimely, but it didn’t stifle the momentum. Young Shubman Gill accompanied Jaiswal at the crease with 22* off 20 balls, displaying a much-improved technique against spin compared to previous outings. Both batsmen skillfully employed the sweep shot, making good use of it without premeditation. Jaiswal particularly shone with a stunning lofted shot over extra cover off Glenn Phillips’ bowling just moments before the break. The nature of the pitch poses numerous challenges, suggesting that batting won’t be a straightforward task, yet India’s aggressive start has certainly put New Zealand on the back foot.
Earlier in the morning, India took charge as they efficiently wrapped up the New Zealand innings, claiming the last five wickets for just 57 runs added to the overnight total. Initially, the day didn’t start in India’s favor, but their fortunes changed with Ravindra Jadeja’s brilliant arm-ball that knocked over Tom Blundell. That wicket triggered a New Zealand batting collapse.
. Santner misjudged a delivery and found himself caught in the deep off Jadeja’s bowling, while Tim Southee edged the ball to first slip, commencing the procession back to the pavilion. Ajaz Patel, trying to up the ante, mistimed a lofted shot only to find a fielder in the deep as wickets fell regularly. Glenn Phillips attempted to fight back with some brisk scoring, however, he quickly ran out of partners, eventually leaving the final player, William ORourke, watching helplessly at the non-striker’s end while being run out.
Despite New Zealand’s sudden collapse, they still hold a substantial lead of 358 runs, which would likely be considered a winning score on many pitches, especially on a challenging one like Pune’s. However, India’s aggressive response has already seen them erode 81 runs from the target in their focused pursuit. It is apparent that India intends to maintain their high-octane strategy, which simultaneously presents opportunities for New Zealand to exploit any opening in the Indian batting order. This current scenario is setting the stage for an enthralling clash as play progresses.
Brief scores reflect the intense competition between both teams in this match. New Zealand tallied a total of 259 and 255 in their innings, with Tom Latham contributing a crucial 86 runs. On the bowling front, Washington Sundar was instrumental, picking up 4 wickets for 56 runs, while Ravindra Jadeja supported well with a 3-wicket haul for 72 runs. India, in response, managed 156 in their first innings and have so far accumulated 81/1, with Jaiswal leading the charge. Despite Santner’s impressive figures of 1-30, India seems poised to put up a formidable fight in this challenging run chase. As the day’s play unfolds, the potential for dramatic cricket with several possible outcomes looms large, promising a captivating battle between two determined sides.