Ajaz Patel left his mark on Day 3 of the third and final Test match between India and New Zealand at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. The left-arm spinner’s brilliant performance not only dismantled India’s batting lineup but also played a pivotal role in securing a victory for the Black Caps.
Shubman Gill’s unexpected departure
One of the defining moment of the day came during the fourth over of India’s second innings. Patel bowled a flighted delivery that caught Shubman Gill off guard. In a misjudgment, Gill up his shoulder arms, expecting the ball to spin away. Instead, the delivery, clocked at 86.3 km/h, landed around the off stump and straightened to crash into the stumps. Gill’s disbelief was palpable as he walked back to the pavilion, having scored just 1 run off 4 balls. This wicket sent ripples of excitement through the Kiwis camp, with Patel celebrating his crucial breakthrough.
Here is the video:
Gill castled 💥
Watch Day 3 LIVE on #JioCinema #Sports18 & ColorsCineplex👈#INDvNZ #IDFCFirstBankTestTrophy #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/HTdvnvcrdq
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) November 3, 2024
Patel’s exceptional bowling throughout the match earned him accolades and recognition. Following a stellar performance in the first innings, he continued to shine in the second, claiming a total of six wickets and finishing with an impressive 11 wickets overall in the match. His consistent accuracy and clever variations made him a formidable opponent, earning him the Player of the Match award for his outstanding contributions.
Also READ: AUS A vs IND A – Ishan Kishan argues with the umpire amid ball tampering allegations against Indian players
India’s batting collapse
After trailing by 28 runs, New Zealand’s second innings ended at 174 all out, setting India a target of 147 to chase down. Despite the challenges posed by the Indian bowlers, the Kiwis managed to establish a lead, providing a competitive target for the home side.
In response, India struggled to mount a significant challenge, collapsing for just 121. Rishabh Pant emerged as the standout performer for India, scoring a brisk 64 off 57 balls, which included 9 fours and a six. However, his valiant effort proved insufficient to overcome the New Zealand bowlers’ relentless pressure. Ultimately, India lost the match by 25 runs, surrendering the series 3-0 to the visitors.
Also READ: Cricket world goes wild as New Zealand records a historic Test series whitewash over India
For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.
