According to reports, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai isn’t expected to be boasting a rank turner for the final test between India and New Zealand. The game is set to be played from November 1 to 5, and will be crucial for the hosts in terms of maintaining their dominance in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
The Indian team opted for a spin-assisting surface in the second test in Pune. However, the move backfired them, as New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner ran through the Indian batting line-up. He picked up a total of 13 wickets, one more than he had previously picked together in Asia in six games. As a result, the surface in Mumbai will be helping the batters throughout the game, with the spinners coming into the play as the game progresses.
“It will be a sporting track. Right now, there’s a bit of grass on the pitch. It’s expected to be good for batting on Day 1 but should offer turn to spinners from Day 2,” a source told TOI.
In latest development, Harshit Rana has been called up to the side for the Wankhede test. The right-arm pacer picked up a total of seven wickets against Assam in the Ranji Trophy concluded today. He is likely to make his test debut, due to his impressive wicket-taking form.
What happened when India and New Zealand last clashed in a test fixture at Wankhede Stadium?
In their 2021/22 tour to India, New Zealand met India in the second test at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Batting first, Mayank Agarwal returned with a stroke-filled knock of 150 off 311 and pushed the team’s score to 325. Interestingly, Ajaz Patel picked up all wickets in the game and became the third bowler to achieve the feat in Tests.
In response, New Zealand were bundled out for 62, with Ravichandran Ashwin finishing with figures of 8-2-8-4. Taking a lead of 263 runs, the Virat Kohli-led side declared on 276/7, led by Mayank’s 62. Ajaz picked four for the visitors, while Rachin Ravindra claimed three dismissals.
Chasing a mammoth target of 540, the Black Caps were under incessant pressure from the onset. Although, Daryl Mitchell (60) and Henry Nicholls (44) showed their fighting instinct, New Zealand were wrapped up for 167. Ashwin and Jayant Yadav bagged four scalps each to help India win by 372 runs. It was the highest margin of victory by runs for India at the time, before they won by 434 runs against England in 2024.
