Kohli fails as India loses in chaotic 10 minutes in third Test against New Zealand

MUMBAI (AFP): With Virat Kohli bowled out for four, India found themselves in serious trouble at 86-4 in their reply after spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar helped New Zealand to a 235-run win on the first day of the third Test on Friday.

India were 78-1 up about 15 minutes before stumps, but a quick fall of wickets turned their fortunes around as New Zealand sensed a chance of a clean sweep – they sealed their first-ever Test series triumph on Indian soil last week with victory in second match in Pune.

The hosts trailed New Zealand by 149 runs at the end of a fast-paced first day at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where the pitch provided the players with an early turnaround.

Shubman Gill, 31, and Rishabh Pant, one of them, batted at the end after Mumbai-born New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel struck two balls twice in a chaotic end to the day.

Ajaz bowled Yashasvi Jaiswal for 30 on a reverse attempt and then India’s ploy of sending in a nightwatchman failed as Mohammed Siraj fell trapped on the next ball. Siraj also burnt the review.

New Zealand’s biggest celebration came in the next over, however, when Matt Henry’s straight shot at mid-on took Kohli out for four and the Indian talisman went for a reckless single.

Jadeja told reporters that “everything happened in 10 minutes” and the team “had no time to react.”

“We can’t blame anyone in particular. Everyone makes some little mistake,” he added, saying the team must “build partnerships” to not only get closer to 230, but to “go beyond that.”

– “Create pressure” –

Skipper Rohit Sharma was the first to go when he edged bowler Henry’s delivery and was caught at second slip for 18.

Left-hander Jaiswal and Gill put on 53 to counter the opposition spinners, but Ajaz broke through.

New Zealand top scorer Daryl Mitchell, with 82, said he expected day two “to be a big session” and that the visitors were hoping to “take a few more” wickets on Saturday morning.

Mitchell said New Zealand were “lucky to apply some pressure” and that the match was still “even”.

New Zealand batsman Will Young scored 71 and Mitchell made his 12th Test half-century after the tourists decided to bat first.

Jadeja scored 5-65 with left-arm spin. Off-spinner Sundar needed four, including the last two batsmen, Mitchell and Ajaz, to complete the innings in 65.4 overs in the final session.

Mitchell tried to anchor the innings after an 87-run fourth-wicket stand with Young before Sundar pulled him out.

In humid heat, Mitchell required regular drinks and ice packs during his 129-ball knock, which included three fours and three sixes.

Jadeja batted regularly and took two wickets in one innings twice, registering his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests.

This included Young being caught at slip before wicketkeeper bowler Tom Blundell took a duck a few balls later.

Devon Conway was out for four before New Zealand captain Tom Latham made 28 and Young tried to build a 44-man innings for the second wicket.

Off-spinner Sundar rounded the wicket to dismiss left-hander Latham and then bowled left-hander Rachin Ravindra – who tops the batting charts in the series with 252 runs – for five. – AFP