India vs New Zealand 2024/25, IND vs New Zealand 3rd Test Match Report, November 1st – 3rd, 2024

New Zealand 235 (Mitchell 82, Young 71, Jadeja 5-65, Washington 4-81) and 174 (Young 51, Jadeja 5-55, Ashwin 3-63) defeated India 263 (Gill 90, Pant 60, Ajaz 5-103) and 121 (Pant 64, Ajaz 6-57, Phillips 3-42) by 25 runs

Of course, apart from the poor batting performance, India also had to contend with a controversial DRS call from third umpire Paul Reiffel. Pant had all the momentum as India claimed six singles and two boundaries in the first two overs after lunch, but New Zealand managed to overturn a decision in what appeared to be a desperate test. Pant had run to Ajaz after being hit in the air and was not out for a catch with the bat. The third umpire seemed to decide at first glance that UltraEdge's murmur came from the bat on the bat. Ultimately, however, a possible distraction following the audio signature convinced the third umpire to override the on-field call.

However, don't take anything away from Ajaz. Mumbai-born Ajaz represents New Zealand and had achieved an All-10 score on his previous trip. Coming into the last Test, he had a completely normal series. Although he found his groove after lunch on the second day, taking five wickets in the first innings, despite taking three early wickets in the second innings, he played a different Test against Pant.

At the time of Pant's wicket, Ajaz had bowled 167 balls for 112 runs and nine wickets to the rest of India, but Pant's 41 balls had gone for 75 runs. Pant was in the middle of a bold effort that defied the treacherous conditions, was demanded by the team management and duly implemented.

The problem with batting on such tracks is the bowlers' high margin of error. Even if you do a rank long hop, you can protect the boundaries with in-out fields because the ball leaves the field at different speeds. The genius of Pant was that he still managed to manipulate the shots to beat the deep fielders. A swing almost towards the stumps to achieve a square shot. A collapse on the knee to sweep finer. He almost always pulls himself off his feet to give him that extra bit of strength. All while maintaining an 84% lunch control rate.

However, when Pant didn't strike, Ajaz was unplayable. He bowled perfect pitches from lunch on the second day and carried them into the second innings. He bowled a good length and set up the batters' forward defense without allowing them to reach the pitch of the ball.

Shubman Gill left one alone without covering the offside line, leaving himself open to the whims of the pitch. The ball didn't turn and the off-stump was thrown out. Virat Kohli was in good form as he defended and pushed his way into the big gloves of Dary Mitchell at slip. Ravindra Jadeja, who earlier completed his third career 10-wicket match haul and added 42 with Pant, ended up getting one that spun too hard and was caught at the bat-pad. Because of the gremlins in the minds, only Sarfaraz Khan's wicket was a gift. His two-ball innings consisted of two deliberate hits on otherwise boundary balls. One was a single, the other a full toss that went straight into the welcoming hands of deep midwicket.

The opening matches went to Matt Henry and Phillips. Rohit Sharma looked set to overtake New Zealand while the impact of the roller was still fresh after New Zealand refused to get the pitch rolling as their final wicket added three runs to their overnight lead of 143. Two boundaries came, but the third attempt was to a ball that wasn't short enough and Phillips caught the top-edge pull at mid-wicket.

Phillips, who far exceeded expectations as the team's second spinner, continued his good work by not bowling bad balls and was duly rewarded by trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw in forward defence.

Pant, however, played a different game. His first thought was a boundary, then running and then defense. He opened his account with a flat six over Ajaz's head. This forced Ajaz to bowl faster and shorter at him, giving India a set of two bye boundaries. His reverse sweep eliminated the short fine leg and benefited him as he took a swing to the top at that exact spot.

After losing Jadeja, he found the boundary twice in the last two overs before lunch to add to his fifty and leave India with the hope of a miracle. After lunch, New Zealand sat back. Six singles in the first round. Two fours in the second. Then came the desperate criticism that once again turned things around for New Zealand.

Tom Blundell had something to celebrate when he took a superb catch on the reverse sweep with the R Ashwin glove. Phillips found a moment to celebrate all the hard work as he bowled Akash Deep through the gate. Fittingly, Ajaz ended it all when Washington Sundar tried to outmaneuver him as he wasn't left with many options.