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The third Test match between India and New Zealand in Mumbai witnessed a captivating moment of skill and strategy when Indian speedster Akash Deep dismissed New Zealand skipper Tom Latham with a remarkable delivery. This dismissal, occurring on Day 2 of the match, showcased Deep's prowess and left the New Zealand captain perplexed. After New Zealand resumed their batting in the second innings, Deep seized the opportunity to claim the prized wicket. His delivery was a masterpiece of swing and deception, outfoxing Latham completely.
The match had already seen India take a slim lead of 28 runs in the first innings. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant had contributed significantly with half-centuries, scoring 90 and 60 runs respectively. Washington Sundar's late knock of 38 runs proved crucial in pushing India ahead, although the hosts could not extend their lead further. As the second innings commenced, India entrusted Akash Deep with the new ball. He had already shown promise in the first innings, having narrowly missed dismissing Latham on the previous delivery. Latham had successfully reviewed an LBW decision in his favor, surviving thanks to an inside edge detected by the technology.
However, Deep was not deterred by the near miss. He charged in from around the wicket, his pace and precision a potent combination. The ball, pitched on a good length, swung inwards with subtle grace. Latham, attempting a drive down the ground, found himself completely outplayed by the inswinger. The ball missed his bat, leaving a gaping hole between the bat and pad. The ball continued its trajectory towards the stumps, crashing into them with a resounding thud. Latham's wicket fell, adding to the drama and excitement of the match. The series, however, had already been secured by New Zealand, who had won the first two Test matches with relative ease. They had triumphed in Bengaluru by eight wickets, chasing a modest target of 107 runs. The Pune Test saw New Zealand emerge victorious by 113 runs. This marked the first instance of India losing a Test series at home since 2012. With their backs against the wall, India desperately sought to avoid the ignominy of a whitewash, the focus now shifting to salvaging some pride in the remaining match.