India stumble to 92-6 at lunch in 147-run chase against New Zealand in 3rd Test

MUMBAI, India (AP) — India’s hopes of salvaging a consolation win after a rare home series slump appeared to rest on Rishabh Pant as the hosts made heavy work in the fourth innings on the third day of the dramatic third Test against New Zealand on Sunday.

Chasing 147 runs to avoid a 3-0 series victory, India faced 92-6, with Pant’s half-century alone proving pivotal in New Zealand’s cause.

At lunch, Pant was unbeaten on 53 off 50 innings with seven fours and a six. In a partnership with Pant that spanned 21 years, Washington Sundar was not out for a six.

Pant smashed 42 off 53 balls for the sixth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (6) to give India hope of reaching the target after slumping to 29-5 earlier.

Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel took 4-43 in 10 overs and in the process became the most successful guest bowler in any Indian arena.

Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips claimed a wicket each and India still needed 55 runs to win.

Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja picked up his second five-for in the Test as New Zealand were bowled out for 174 runs in the second innings.

The Kiwis ended the second day on 171-9 and could only add three runs off 14 deliveries. Jadeja dismissed Patel for eight, caught, for his 15th five-wicket haul in Tests.

Jadeja finished the match with 10-120, his third ten-wicket haul in his 77 Tests.

But after that everything was connected with the disintegration of India. Skipper Rohit Sharma was caught on 11, lunging behind Henry with another poor pull shot to be caught at midwicket.

Patel bowled Shubman Gill for a single, the batsman left the ball only to be hit off stump.

The crowd at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday were stunned when Virat Kohli was caught out.

Phillips then sent Yashaswi Jaiswal back for five, out lbw. Sarfaraz Khan (one) delivered a full toss straight to the fielder’s square leg as India inexplicably crumbled.

Pant then led India’s recovery with some unusual shots, while Jadeja watched for most of it.

Their partnership pushed India into contention before Jadeja was dismissed for six off 22 balls.

New Zealand had what appeared to be an lbw appeal against Pant dismissed, and they also did not opt ​​for a DRS review as TV replays showed Pant would have been dismissed.

Patel’s four wickets before lunch took his tally to 23 at the Wankhede Stadium in four innings. In 2021, he took a record 10-119 here, finishing the game with 14 wickets.

He went past England’s Ian Botham, who took 22 wickets at the same ground and was previously the most successful visitor to bowl at any venue in India.

New Zealand scored 235 runs in their first innings, while India took a commanding 28-run lead with 263 runs in reply.

New Zealand won the first two tests in Bengaluru and Pune by eight wickets and 113 runs respectively to register India’s landmark first Test series win.

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