Ajaz Patel marked the 3rd day 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 unsettled the Indian batting line-up but also played a vital role in securing victory for the Black Caps.
The unexpected departure of Shubman Gill
One of the defining moments of the day came in the fourth over of India’s second innings. Patel bowled a flight delivery that caught Shubman Gill careless. On a misjudgment, Gill raises his shoulder arms and waits for the ball to spin. Instead, the 86.3 kmph delivery landed around the stumps and straightened to hit the stumps. Gill’s disbelief was palpable as he returned to the pavilion having scored just 1 off 4 balls. That wicket sent waves of excitement through the Kiwis camp, with Patel marking his crucial breakthrough.
We present the video:
Gill Castle 💥
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Patel’s exceptional bowling throughout the match earned him accolades and recognition. After a brilliant performance in the first innings, he continued to shine in the second innings, claiming just six wickets and ending the match with a total of 11 wickets. His consistent accuracy and clever variations made him a formidable competitor and earned him the Man 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 on 174, leaving India with a target of 147 to chase. Despite the challenges posed by the Indian bowlers, the Kiwis managed to build a lead, providing a competitive target for the hosts.
In response, India struggled to clear a significant challenge, collapsing for just 121. Rishabh pants He emerged as the standout performer for India, hitting 64 off 57 balls including 9 fours and a six. However, his valiant effort was not enough to overcome the relentless pressure from the New Zealand bowlers. In the end, India won the match by 25 runs, handing the series 3-0 to the visitors.
