Mumbai- Exploiting the spin-friendly conditions, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin chiselled through the New Zealand batting line-up to bring India to a stage from where they can force a face-saving victory in the third Test which is now headed for an intriguing finish.
New Zealand ended day two at 171 for nine with an overall lead of 143, which might look small but even a target in the vicinity of 150 will pose serious challenge for the Indian batters, considering the fast deteriorating Wankhede track.
This was after half-centuries from Shubman Gill (90) and Rishabh Pant (60) and a crucial 38 not out from Washington Sundar gave India a slender 28-run lead as they put on board 263.
A total of 15 wickets fell on the second day, underlining the fact that life won’t be easy for the hosts while batting fourth.
Ashwin (3/63) found his rhythm while Jadeja (4/52) added four more dismissals after his 5/65 in the first essay to keep India’s hopes alive to avert a clean sweep at home for the first time.
Ajaz Patel (7) was at the crease when Jadeja cleaned up Matt Henry (10) for the penultimate wicket on the final ball on the second day.
Will Young’s gutsy 51 was the only resistance from the Kiwis who succumbed to pressure, after Patel (5/103) recorded yet another five-wicket haul.
Having made a subdued impact so far, Ashwin’s delight on getting Rachin Ravindra (4) stumped was evident as he beat the charge of the batter with bounce and turn.
With Glenn Phillips (26) using the long handle to a good effect, Ashwin cleaned up the New Zealand batter for another crucial breakthrough.
Young, who batted as solid as he did in the first innings, was Ashwin’s third victim giving the bowler catching practice after being outfoxed on a carrom ball.
The 37-year-old Ashwin made impact beyond his bowling when he took an outstanding catch to end a stubborn 50-run association between Young and Daryl Mitchell (21), who, for a passage of play, threatened to take the game away.
Young and Mitchell had steadied the ship after New Zealand’s top-order was blown away, but the latter’s charge against Jadeja proved costly as he did not get the distance in his stroke.
From mid-off, Ashwin covered 19 metres running sideways to his left and put in a fabulous dive to complete the dismissal, post which New Zealand crumbled further.
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