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 💥
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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.
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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.