Trailing the series 0-2, Indian cricketers are geared up for an important third Test against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where only a victory could be considered its target. Even though India lost the series, they were determined to win in Mumbai, thus boosting their chances in the World Test Championship final.
Conditions of the pitch are set to change dramatically as the two sides prepare for the final showdown. It was a turn from the very first day of action, which the spinners succeeded in extracting in the first couple of matches, but this track at the Wankhede is expected to give the batters a lot more room on Day 1.
As the Times of India reported, a “sporting track” has been prepared in Mumbai with a sheath of grass. They are unlikely to get much assistance out there unless, perhaps, in the latter part of the second day’s play. “It will be a sporting track. Right now, there is a bit of grass on the pitch. It’s expected to be good for batting on Day 1 but should offer turn to spinners from Day 2,” a source informed the publication.
The last Test between India and New Zealand at Wankhede in December 2021 saw India cruise to a 372-run victory as the Kiwis were bowled out for 62 and 167 as the pitch assisted spinners big time. India scored 325, and 276/7 was declared, while Ravichandran Ashwin was its star performer, scoring 8 wickets for 42 runs in both innings. New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel also made it to the limelight by getting historic figures of 10/119 in the first innings, adding four more wickets for 104 runs in the second.
