Ashwin and Jadeja rip through NZ to give India ascendancy at the end of an event-filled Day 2 of the third test.
Ashwin and Jadeja run through New Zealand to hand India the advantage.
In their attempt to avoid their first-ever home whitewash in a sequence of three or more Test matches, India’s new and old combined to effectively leave New Zealand at 143 for 9. It was a return from the agony of the last 10 minutes of the first day, which was typical of previous series collapses, but it wasn’t going to be an easy objective on a surface that had taken 29 wickets in two days.
In the face of a resurgent Ajaz Patel, who claimed his second five-for in his hometown, it needed a cameo of 38 off 36 from Washington Sundar to push India’s lead above 25. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant had initially saved the innings with scores of 90 and 60.
Then, on a deteriorating pitch, the experienced duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took seven wickets between them to stop New Zealand from giving India a huge target. With a brilliant catch sprinting back, Ashwin helped Jadeja go to the favourable end and get his maiden wicket after losing his role as the new-ball bowler to Washington in the second innings. Will Young’s second fifty in the match and Glenn Phillips’ hitting made sure New Zealand had more than the bare minimum to bowl at.
With Washington and Ashwin each taking a wicket, Devon Conway playing forward-defensive, and Rachin Ravindra getting stumped while attempting to hit a six, India continued to play.
All eyes were on Jadeja once Young and Mitchell, the two right-handers, had gotten in. Jadeja and Ajaz had taken wickets from his end, and Ashwin offered to have Jadeja bowl from there. However, Rohit wanted Ashwin to continue bowling. Ashwin came back from mid-on to grab a diving catch, and Jadeja got Mitchell out with more than just a hand as the partnership grew and ends were turned.
Tom Blundell didn’t last long, but Phillips smashed three sixes in a short period of time, two of which were off Ashwin, who eventually took the carrom ball out of his back pocket and knocked the off stump. Top-order Test batsmen were surprising themselves by not choosing the carrom ball; even the settled and successful Young was bowled to one after being out caught.
Ajaz and Henry both blasted sixes, but Henry was bowled to an unplayable Jadeja delivery, which ended up being the day’s final one.