India embarks on one of its most crucial challenges as it prepares to take on New Zealand in the do-or-die third Test, starting at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. This is a very important game for India, whose pride was hurt after questions were raised about how they handle quality spin attacks. Against that backdrop, a win becomes necessary for India to stay in the race for a World Test Championship final spot at Lord’s in June following its first series loss at home in 12 years.
With six Tests left in the 2023-25 cycle, two-time runner-up India must win at least four to keep their hopes alive for the WTC trophy. The recent Test in Pune brought the frailties in the batting lineup against slow bowling, and the team management has requested a turning pitch where the ball starts sharp turning right from the first play session. The coaching staff has arranged a fair number of net sessions with close to 20 slow bowlers being called in. White lines have also been drawn on the pitch to help players understand length and line.
Despite the good fightback in the second innings of the opening Test, Indian batters have struggled against quality seam and spin bowling. As head coach Gautam Gambhir said, “It should hurt, and that hurt will make us better.” The performance of senior players will come under intense scrutiny as they try to work their way out of this crisis, but young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill will be equally important.
Come the final Test, it will be a Wankhede pitch that will assist the spinners, where so far Ashwin and Jadeja have been off-colour. A few speculate an inclusion for Axar Patel for the reason that he is over the moon about tracks turning.
