Wankhede Stadium’s Importance:
India faces New Zealand in the third and final Test at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, aiming to avoid a whitewash on home soil. Victory is crucial, not only to regain morale but also to keep India in the race for a World Test Championship (WTC) final spot.
Expected Pitch Conditions:
The Indian team management has reportedly requested a rank turner pitch at Wankhede. Such a surface is likely to assist spinners from the very first session, favoring bowlers like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Typically, the Mumbai pitch is known for its red soil, offering favorable conditions for batters, with the ball coming nicely onto the bat. However, the rank turner request could see a drastic change, creating an uphill battle for the batters from both sides.
Previous Challenges with Spin:
Indian batters struggled against New Zealand’s spin attack in earlier matches, particularly facing bowlers like Mitchell Santner, who took 13 wickets in the Pune Test. Out of India’s 20 wickets, 19 fell to spin, showcasing their vulnerability in the series.
With a pitch expected to favor spin even more, Indian batters may face significant challenges, making their ability to counter spin key to their success in the final Test.
India’s Test Record at Wankhede Stadium:
India has played 26 Test matches at Wankhede, with 12 wins, 7 losses, and 7 draws.
New Zealand’s record at Wankhede is limited, with only 3 matches played at this venue, out of which they’ve lost 2 and won 1.
The last Test match between India and New Zealand at this stadium was in 2021, where India claimed an emphatic victory by 372 runs.
Implications for the WTC Standings:
A victory at Wankhede would be vital for India to stay competitive in the World Test Championship standings. Losing the series could significantly hamper their chances of securing a spot in the WTC final, making this match a high-stakes contest.
Conclusion:
The pitch at Wankhede Stadium for the third Test against New Zealand holds the potential to shape the series’ outcome, particularly with an anticipated rank turner to favor spin bowlers. The battle between India’s spinners and New Zealand’s batsmen promises an intense showdown.
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