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The first day of the third and final Test match between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai saw a dramatic turn of events, leaving India with a challenging task on the second day. While India made a strong start, losing only one wicket in the first 23 overs, a collapse in the last session of the day left them trailing New Zealand by a significant margin.
The day began with New Zealand opting to bat first after winning the toss. Their innings started promisingly, with Daryl Mitchell leading the charge with a magnificent 82 runs. Will Young also contributed a solid 71 runs, but other batters failed to capitalize on the good start, resulting in New Zealand being bowled out for 235 runs. The key to New Zealand's demise was the exceptional bowling performance from India's Ravindra Jadeja, who claimed his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, highlighting his remarkable consistency and ability to deliver crucial breakthroughs. Washington Sundar also played a significant role, contributing four wickets to the cause, demonstrating the depth and strength of India's bowling attack.
India's response began promisingly, reaching 78/1 at one point, seemingly in control of the situation. However, a sudden and dramatic collapse saw them lose three wickets in just eight balls, bringing the day to a disappointing end for the hosts. The loss of Virat Kohli, who was run out in his first innings, added to the disappointment, as the Indian star continues to struggle for form in Test cricket. Despite the setbacks, India's Shubman Gill (31 not out) and Rishabh Pant (1 not out) managed to hold the fort, but they will need to bat with much more composure and resilience to overcome the deficit and challenge New Zealand in the coming days.