Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was effective on the morning of Day 3 as India bowled out New Zealand for 255. Glenn Phillips’ unbeaten 48 helped the Kiwis post a challenging target of 359 at Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Pune.
Starting at an overnight score of 198/5, Phillips was outfoxed by Ravichandran Ashwin. Phillips edged one but slip fielder Rohit Sharma didn't react and the ball went for a boundary. Phillips rubbed salts on Ashwin's wounds with a boundary. The partnership was ended by Jadeja. Tom Blundell could not pick the arm ball and got bowled. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 41 runs from 83 balls including three fours. A few overs later, Jadeja got the better of Mitchell Santner as well. Santner went for the big shot but got caught at long-on. He scored four runs from 16 balls.
In the next over, Ashwin joined the party as well. He managed to get an outside edge off Tim Southee's bat and this time Rohit caught it with both hands. Southee departed for a three-ball duck. Ajaz Patel could not do much damage either and was caught by Washington Sundar at deep mid-wicket. Jadeja got his third wicket of the day. Phillips hit a few big shots before a run out ended William O’Rouke’s stay at the crease. Phillips remained unbeaten for 48 off 82 balls as New Zealand were bowled out for 255.
Latham plays the anchor role
Earlier on Day 2 after Santner's seven-wicket haul helped the visitors bowl out India for 156, New Zealand captain Tom Latham played an anchor role. Devon Conway was dismissed lbw by Sundar for a 25-ball 17. Will Young looked to score quickly but was trapped in front of the stumps by Ashwin. He scored 23 runs from 28 balls. In-form Rachin Ravindra got bowled for a single-digit score by Sundar. Daryl Mitchell could score 18 runs before falling to the young off-spinner. Meanwhile, Latham continued to score from the other end. However, he missed a chance to score a century. Sundar got him out lbw. The opener scored 86 runs from 133 balls.