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Patna : Chasing a target of 540 runs, New Zealand (NZ) were struggling at 140/5 in 45 overs staring at defeat in their 2nd innings in 2nd test against India at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, Maharashtra, at stumps on Day 3 on December 5, 2021, with Henry Nicholls unbeaten on 36 in 86 balls hitting 7 fours and Rachin Ravindra batting on 2. NZ, who were shot out for a paltry 62 runs in their first innings, need to 400 runs more to win the 2nd test with two days’ play left. India had won the toss and opted to bat.
Opener Tom Latham ( captain) fell to spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for 6. His opening partner Will Young also fell to Ashwin for 20 runs and it was 45/2. Ross Taylor also fell to Sshwin for 6 making it 55/3. Daryl Mitchell and Henry Nicholls then added 73 runs for the 4th wicket. But, Daryl Mitchell fell to spinner Axar Patel for 60 in 92 balls with 7 four and 2 sixes and it was 128/4. Tom Blundell (wk) was run out for zero making it 129/5. Ashwin has taken 3/27 in 17 overs.
Earlier resuming at their overnight score of 69/0, India declared their 2nd innings at 276/7 in 70 overs with opener Mayank Agarwal scoring 62 runs in 108 balls hitting 9 fours and 1 six. Mayank had scored 150 runs in first innings. Cheteshwar Pujara, who opened the innings in 2nd innings, scored 47 runs in 97 balls with 6 fours and 1 six. Both Mayank and Pujara fell to spinner Ajaz patel, who had taken 10 wickets in India’s first innings.
Shubman Gill fell to Rachin Ravindra for 47 in 85 balls with 4 fours and 1 six. Captain Virat Kohli also fell to Rachin for 36 runs in 84 balls with 1 four and 1 six. Shreyas Iyer fell to Rachin for 14 while Wriddhiman Saha (wk) fell to Rachin for 13 runs making it 238/6.
Spinner Axar Patel, who had scored 52 runs in first innings, scored an explosive unbeaten 41 runs in 26 balls hitting 3 fours and 4 sixes, three of themoff Rachin Ravindra and 1 off Ajaz Patel. India had scored 325 runs in their first innings.