Wankhede: The third Test match between India and New Zealand has arrived at a tense point at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, New Zealand is 143-6 in its second innings, and there is only last partnership left. Getting 150 runs in Wankhede chase has been historically difficult, especially for India and hence they cannot afford to take things easy. The series has underlined the reliance on spin bowling and after sri Lankan spinners we have witnessed setting a new record of wickets in three-match series on the Indian soil.
Spin Dominance Break Long-Time Record
In the current third inning alone, spinners have accumulated 24 wickets in Mumbai alone and 71 wickets for a three-match series in Indian test cricket. The previous record was set in 1969 Indian-New Zealand spinners taking 69 wickets. More than that, the two teams have doubled that figure and are now going head to head.
Spin was very much dominated in earlier matches played at Bengaluru and Pune itself. This series has also proved that spinners dominate Indian pitches and has served further notice on the Wankhede track which is notoriously regarded as a bad one for the fourth innings batting.
Left-arm spinner Washington Sundar has been most impressive in the series and has taken 16 wickets in all four innings in two matches. Next on the list is Ravindra Jadeja with 15 wickets followed by Mitchell Santner who has been disgraceful for New Zealand with 13 wickets. Incredibly, one of the finest spinners in home conditions, Ravichandran Ashwin, has managed to bag only 9 wickets in the series which has led to a lot of among fans and critics.
The 2024 series continues in a line of spin domination in the India New Zealand cricket series. Spinners took 66 wickets in three match series in 1956 against Australian cricket team. India got another batting-friendly pitch, but New Zealand spinners hit back strongly, completing 65 wickets send across the car park. This current series becomes the first time spinners have crossed 70 wickets in a three match Test series on India.
While India gets ready for a prospect of a difficult fourth innings, the spotlight is on spinners who have delivered on the series and have made it to a historic climax. It will be an interesting preposition to watch whether India is capable of handling the twin spinners or not but yes all setting is made for nerve cracking climax to this record breaking series.