Gill misses a ton as India scores 263 and deals early blow to New Zealand

Shubman Gill missed a century while Rishabh Pant scored a quick 60 as India were dismissed for 263 in reply to New Zealand’s 235 before they restricted the tourists to 26-1 at tea on the second day third Test in Mumbai. on Saturday.

Devon Conway was unbeaten on 15 and Will Young batted eight as New Zealand trailed by just two runs at half-time on another muggy day at Wankhede Stadium.

Gill, riding his luck, looked poised to score a ton as India inched towards New Zealand’s total after lunch, but the batsman edged spinner Ajaz Patel to Daryl Mitchell at slip to depart with 90.

Patel then removed Ravichandran Ashwin for six and finished with superb figures of 5-103 as Akash Deep was run out, leaving Sundar’s Washington unbeaten on 38.

Akash put New Zealand under pressure on a difficult pitch as he castled captain Tom Latham for one ball.

A late collapse on Friday meant India resumed at 86-4 and Pant calmed early nerves by hitting Patel for three boundaries on debut and taking one for four boundaries a little later.

Gill was given a reprieve on 45 as he attempted to tackle Glenn Phillips midway through the first session when substitute Mark Chapman made a simple catch after running from deep.

He then reached his seventh Test half-century as the Black Caps struggled to contain runs, missing a big chance to put pressure on the hosts.

Pant, who came out of his crease to hit Patel out of the park a couple of times and pulled Phillips for four, then took advantage of a single to reach his fifty in just 36 balls, the fastest by an Indian against New Zealand.

Phillips was unlucky to miss out again when Matt Henry dropped Pant for 53, but Ish Sodhi caught the batsman lbw to end the fifth-wicket partnership on 96.

Ravindra Jadeja was bowled out early in the second session on 14 when Phillips forced him to edge one to slip, while Sarfaraz Khan was caught behind for a four-ball duck from Patel.

New Zealand won the first match in Bangalore by eight wickets, their first Test win in India in 36 years, and clinched the series in Pune with a 113-run win.