IND vs NZ 3rd Test 2024 Day 1 Report – India’s struggle with the bat continues in the series as they lost 4 wickets before stumps. However, Jadeja and Sundar were outstanding with the ball claiming 9 wickets together. 

New Zealand won the toss in the 3rd and final test of the series and decided to bat first. Team India rested the veteran pacer Jasprit Bumrah for Akash Deep. On the other hand, Kane Williamson again failed to make it into the playing XI due to his injury. 

Indian Bowlers made a good start to the innings as Akash Deep sent the dangerous Devon Conway back to the pavilion for just 4 runs. Tom Latham innings didn’t last long and he was dismissed after scoring 28 runs. The in-form Rachin Ravindra also fell cheaply on just 5 runs. Will Young and Daryl Mitchel made a partnership but Jadeja and Washington were not ready to stop.  

Jadeja and Sundar Magic 

Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar bowled their hearts out in the burning heat of Mumbai to bowled out New Zealand for just 235 runs on Day 1. Jadeja was spectacular with the bowl as he claimed the 14th five-wicket haul of his career. The left-arm spinner bowled 22 overs straight in the heat where the batters were getting drinks after every 3 to 4 overs. He was equally supported by Washington Sundar who also grabbed 4 wickets. 

Due to their exceptional bowling India were able to restrict New Zealand on a low-score. Surprisingly, on a wicket where 2 Indian spinners picked 9 wickets, the spin wizard of these pitches Ravichandran Ashwin remained wicketless.  

Young and Mitchell Rescued NZ

When the in-form batters of this series like Latham, Conway, and Ravindra failed to score, Will Young and Daryll Mitchell rescued their side. Both the batters played beautifully and scored big half-centuries. Will Young scored 71 runs while Daryll Mitchell managed to score 82 runs. This was due to their partnership that the Kiwis were able to reach 235 runs otherwise, they might have bundled out before 150. 

Indian Top-order Failed Again 

In reply, India had a similar start to their innings like previous tests. Captain Rohit Sharma got out early as he was dismissed by Matt Henry. Yashasvi Jaiswal was once again looking good but he was clean bowled by Ajaz Patel on a beautiful delivery. India’s experiment of sending a night watchman also failed as Muhmmad Siraj was dismissed on the very first ball. 

However, India felt the shock when Virat Kohli got run-out in the last over of the day. Virat was left in complete disappointment as he has been searching for runs in this series. A spectacular run-out by Matt Henry sent Virat back to the pavilion for just 6 runs. 

IND vs NZ 3rd Test – Final Thoughts

India are 86-4 at the end of stumps on Day 1 and Shubman Gill and Rishab Pant will continue the innings tomorrow. New Zealand will be much relieved after their bowling effort and will be hoping to dismiss India as early as possible on Day 2. The kiwis have set their eyes on clean sweep and team India has to make a comeback to end the series on a high.