Jaiswal, Gill Come Out Swinging in Chase of 359
India faced a challenging target of 359 runs after New Zealand posted scores of 259 and 255 in their innings. In response, India started their second innings with a score of 156, followed by a brisk 81 for 1 at stumps, leaving them needing an additional 278 runs for victory. The openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (46*) and Shubman Gill (22*) played an aggressive innings, looking to capitalize on the momentum.
In a thrilling turn of events, India managed to claim the last five New Zealand wickets for just 57 runs, showcasing their bowling prowess. They then proceeded to score 81 runs in a mere 12 overs before the close of play, with Rohit Sharma being the only wicket to fall during this explosive period. However, India faced an uphill battle as they required more sustained efforts to regain control of the match.
Mitchell Santner, who has been a thorn in India’s side throughout the series, had already claimed eight of the eleven Indian wickets, but he appeared to struggle physically before lunch, clutching his side. This gave India a glimmer of hope as they aimed to build on their momentum and stay competitive in the match.
Determined to make a comeback, India turned to their experienced spin duo, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, to lead the charge. Washington Sundar, despite being in good form with eleven wickets in the match, was not called upon to bowl at this crucial juncture.
The session started on a tense note for India, as Ashwin’s very first delivery produced an edge that Rohit Sharma failed to catch. New Zealand's Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips quickly added 33 runs to their overnight total, which further put pressure on India. Jadeja’s ability to turn the ball sharply at high speed offered New Zealand a brief moment of confidence, but full deliveries continued to prove difficult to hit.
India finally broke through when Jadeja claimed his first wicket, taking advantage of a natural variation to dismiss Blundell. A moment of casual play from Washington Sundar and William O'Rourke contributed to the last wicket, as Phillips attempted to sneak a quick single. Jadeja, showing sharp reflexes, deflected the throw onto the stumps, catching O'Rourke off guard.
In their quest for runs, India’s openers did not hold back. Jaiswal was quick to attack, driving a wide ball and narrowly missing a catch at gully. He followed that up with a powerful six, marking the beginning of an aggressive approach that would see him score 46 runs off just 36 balls. He utilized an array of shots, including sweeps and charges against the spinners, showing his intent to chase down the target.
However, Santner struck back, dismissing Rohit Sharma with a well-placed delivery that led to a bat-pad catch. Shubman Gill, determined to support Jaiswal, also displayed an attacking mindset. The duo unleashed a barrage of sweeps, hitting eight in their 12 overs together compared to just five in the entire first innings.
This aggressive play forced Santner to adjust his length, allowing Gill to capitalize with some powerful strokes. Santner’s discomfort became apparent as he continued bowling, but not without creating opportunities, one of which slipped through the hands of a fielder due to an edge that was too thick.
As the day concluded, Jaiswal's remarkable performance culminated with a spectacular inside-out six over cover off Phillips, leaving the Indian camp buzzing with confidence and ready for the next day’s play.
