‘Turning From Both Ends’: Ajaz Patel Sees Day 3 Being A Challenge For Batters In 3rd Test – News18

Last Updated:November 02, 2024, 20:37 IST

The spinner who claimed 5/103 in the first innings, suggested that the pitch’s behaviour would decide how the game went with India in a strong position to redeem themselves with a win in the final game in Mumbai.

With New Zealand one wicket away from being bowled out and a lead in excess of 150 being unlikely, the spinner, Ajaz Patel feels that while the target may be small, the batters might not find the track as easy to bat on the third day.

The spinner who claimed 5/103 in the first innings, suggested that the pitch’s behaviour would decide how the game went with India in a strong position to redeem themselves with a win in the final game in Mumbai.

“Whatever we score, we’re going to have to try and do our best to restrict India but it’ll be interesting to see how the wicket continues to play,” Patel said when asked if New Zealand have enough on the board.

“It’s turning quite sharply, it’s inconsistent in terms of how much it does turn and bounce, but as a spinner, it’s encouraging as well that you’re going to get something out of the surface and for batting it’s quite challenging,” he shared.

“It is certainly turning from both ends, it’s just the bounce is a little bit variable, so from a batting perspective that can be a challenge as well,” he added.

Reflecting on what he has seen so far, Patel reckons that the morning session could be a period where the spinners have lesser influence with the ball.

“If we have seen the pattern in terms of the wicket, over the last couple of days in the morning, it probably doesn’t do as much as the afternoon,” he commented.

“Whether that’s due to the rolling, or whether that’s due to the heat and the wicket drying up throughout the day, I’m unsure. It’ll be interesting to see how that wicket plays tomorrow morning, whether it kind of reacts the same way or whether it’s a little bit different,” he added.

Patel and the Kiwis will hope that New Zealand can add more runs to their total and hope that they have what it takes to get the job done with the ball. The side will hope that they can inflict yet another win over India to seal the whitewash, a first for India on home soil since 2000.

(with PTI Inputs)