India vs New Zealand 2024/25, IND vs New Zealand 3rd Test Match Report, November 1-5, 2024

innings New Zealand 235 (Mitchell 82, Young 71, Jadeja 5-65, Washington 4-81) vs India

Mitchell didn't make the shot with No. 10 in support, but ended up making a mental error by taking a flat throw straight to slip, just like coaches do in catching drills. But not before he scored 82 points. Ajaz Patel, with the onus on him to improve dramatically from Pune, hit a six before rising to one that didn't turn, giving Washington his fourth wicket.

As fast as they could run, that is. With temperatures of up to 37 degrees in the afternoon, high humidity and little wind, the players quickly lost fluids. Their shirts clung to their bodies with sweat, drinks were served almost every three rounds, and chilled towels and ice packs were used liberally. Mitchell in particular struggled the most but continued to fight to come into the tea break undefeated.

With Japsirt Bumrah missing due to a viral illness, India started Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj after Latham won another crucial toss. Akash Deep used the angle around the wicket well to trap Devon Conway lbw, but Latham and Young got off to a comfortable start. They added 44 for the second wicket with relative ease before Washington, the second spinner used, converted a beauty past Latham's outside edge. What made matters even more annoying was that an almost identical throw – same seam alignment, same spot on the pitch – had gone straight forward to beat his inside edge.

While Latham was bowled from top to bottom, Rachin Ravindra fell to a similarly lovely side at mid off-stump. As the experts expected, the situation changed significantly in the first meeting. The final half hour before lunch tested both Young and Mitchell's skills as the natural deviations from the pitch increased.

However, after lunch there was a period of play where the pitch went into a standstill state. Every now and then the ball would turn as Jadeja slowed it down, but he was looking for a quick turn. He stayed with the ball and demonstrated his superior fitness by bowling throughout the session, even when others took long breaks between overs.

However, Young and Mitchell appeared relaxed. The sweeps and reverse sweeps were used to good effect, but Young also danced down the wicket to lazily lift the ball up. This was Young's first fifty of the series, although he gave the impression that he was the most comfortable batsman on either side.

Washington, Siraj and Ashwin bowled from the other end but Jadeja continued. However, towards the end of the session, the ball turned even faster for Jadeja. Now he was in. Young narrowly slipped and slid down at 60 mph. Three balls later, Blundell saw a pitch on leg and hit it at 58 mph.

Jadeja stuck to his work and dismissed Glenn Phillips with a shot that didn't turn, reducing New Zealand to 187 for 6. Mitchell continued to battle cramps and dehydration to ensure the test remained balanced during the tea break.