Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant scored half-centuries in contrasting styles while Ravindra Jadeja and R. Ashwin shared seven wickets between them as India reached a strong position in the third Test against New Zealand from where they can avoid a clean sweep in the ongoing series.
At stumps on the second day, India reduced New Zealand to 171/9, a lead of 143 with just one wicket remaining as they fought their way back into the match from a difficult 86/4 at the end of the first day.
It was Gill and Pant that revived India’s chances in the morning with a 96-run partnership as they reached their half-centuries in contrasting style — Pant racing it with his fifty off 36 balls, the fastest by an Indian batter against New Zealand while Gill offered some much needed stability whilst scoring a patient 90
On another engrossing day at the Wankhede Stadium in the hot and humid conditions, the game ebbed and flowed as India dominated the morning session and failed to capitalise on the opportunity after lunch to be bowled out for 263 before grabbing the initiative in the evening.
The hosts came back strongly with Jadeja claiming 4/52 and Ashwin grabbing 3-63 getting into the driver’s seat despite a fighting half-century by Will Young, his second fifty of the match that kept New Zealand’s hopes alive.
