India v NZ: Hosts set for tricky chase on third day in Mumbai

The third Test between India and New Zealand in Mumbai is going down to the wire, with the hosts facing a tricky chase after 15 wickets fell on Saturday at the Wankhede Stadium.

The Black Caps lead by 143 runs with one wicket in hand heading into day three of the final Test.

India began the day at 4/86 courtesy of a late collapse on the opening day, and they did well to survive the first hour without the loss of a wicket.

Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill took the home side through to 180/4 before India’s wicketkeeper fell for 60 to a leg-break from Ish Sodhi.

With New Zealand’s first innings score of 235 in sight, Indian wickets began to fall with regularity.

Ravindra Jadeja (14) and Sarfaraz Khan (0) were out cheaply before Gill edged out to Daryl Mitchell off Ajaz Patel (5/103) 10 runs short of a century.

A handy 38 runs from 36 balls by Washington Sundar got India past New Zealand’s score, but only just, as the hosts were bowled for 263 — 28 runs ahead.

In response, it was a nervy second innings from the Black Caps, with only Will Young (51) crossing the half-century mark.

Ravichandran Ashwin (3/63) and Jadeja (4/52) were dominant with the ball, consistently extracting wickets as New Zealand were reduced to 9/171 at stumps.

With Patel at the crease and William O’Rourke to join him at the start of day three, New Zealand hold a tentative 143-run lead after two days’ play.

Despite the Wankhede pitch becoming increasingly challenging to bat on, top cricket betting sites have India as heavy favourites heading into the third day.

BetOnline has the hosts at just -1666.67 to win the Test, while the Black Caps are at long odds of +750 to execute a whitewash.

After the close of play on Saturday, Indian spinner Ashwin gave his thoughts on the tricky pitch.

“Any runs saved in this innings is critical for us when we chase it down,” he said.

“It’s not going to be easy, and we have to bat well to chase the score.

“I expected a lot more bounce and speed from this Mumbai pitch, but it has been quite slow, which is a surprise for me.

“Not a typical Bombay pitch — it was much slower than usual.”

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