The third and final Test between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai began with a dramatic first day, leaving the hosts in a precarious position. Despite a valiant effort from Ravindra Jadeja, who claimed his 14th Test five-wicket haul, India's batting faltered, ending the day at a concerning 86/4, trailing New Zealand by 149 runs.
New Zealand, opting to bat first after winning the toss, posted a competitive 235 runs, thanks to a gritty knock of 82 from Daryl Mitchell. While India's bowlers made early inroads, dismissing openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham, Mitchell's resilience and a crucial partnership with Will Young (54) helped the Kiwis recover.
Jadeja's brilliance with the ball, including a double-wicket maiden that saw him reach the five-wicket milestone, restricted New Zealand's total. However, India's response with the bat was far from convincing.
Despite a promising start, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill looking comfortable at the crease, the Indian batting lineup crumbled in the final session. Jaiswal fell for 30, followed by the wicket of nightwatchman Mohammed Siraj for a golden duck. A run-out then sent Virat Kohli back to the pavilion for a meager 4, leaving India reeling at 86/4 at stumps.
This disappointing batting performance has put India on the back foot, and they will need a strong showing from their remaining batsmen on Day 2 to get back into the contest. With the series already lost, India will be desperate to salvage some pride and end the series on a high note.
