Day 2 of the decisive third Test between India and New Zealand witnessed ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin proving his mettle yet again as he claimed the crucial wicket of Rachin Ravindra. In a tightly contested match where every run and wicket was significant, Ashwin’s sharp bowling and tactical nous provided a much-needed breakthrough for India, dismissing Ravindra for just four runs in New Zealand’s second innings.
The moment of dismissal: Ravichandran Ashwin’s mastery undoes Rachin Ravindra
Ashwin’s moment of brilliance came in the 14th over of New Zealand’s innings. The seasoned off-spinner, with his ability to outfox batters with subtle variations, bowled a shorter-length delivery that enticed Rachin Ravindra to take a bold approach. Ravindra, in an attempt to break the shackles and play a lofted shot, misread the spin and failed to connect as the ball skidded past the outside edge. The situation required precise glovework, and India’s wicketkeeper did not disappoint—swiftly gathering the ball and whipping off the bails in a flash, leaving Ravindra stranded outside his crease. This timely dismissal not only marked Ashwin’s first wicket of the match but also highlighted his vital role in India’s strategy to counter New Zealand’s top order.
Here’s the video:
Rachin Ravindra falls for Ashwin’s bait 😏
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New Zealand hold a narrow lead over India
Ashwin’s wicket was a spark that energized the Indian bowling unit, showcasing the collective resolve to restrict New Zealand’s scoring and limit their lead. Complementing Ashwin’s breakthrough were Akash Deep and Washington Sundar, who each contributed with crucial wickets. Deep’s aggressive seam bowling and Sundar’s consistent line and length applied continuous pressure on the Kiwi batters, ensuring that India stayed in the hunt and maintained control over the run flow.
At present, New Zealand’s score stood at 100/5, giving them a slim lead of 72 runs with Glenn Phillips and Will Young at the crease, both tasked with stabilizing their innings amidst India’s renewed bowling pressure. New Zealand’s first innings total of 235 had been built on the back of strong performances from Daryl Mitchell (82 runs) and Young (71 runs), thanks in large part to Ravindra Jadeja’s impressive five-wicket haul and Washington Sundar’s four-wicket contribution, while India’s first innings reply saw them post 263.