Mumbai Test: R Ashwin, Axar Patel depart New Zealand reeling in 540 chase, India want 5 wickets for victory

India stamped their authority over New Zealand on the second and remaining Test in Mumbai on Sunday after driving on good performances from Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel on the Wankhede Stadium.

The hosts want simply 5 wickets to win the match and clinch the sequence as New Zealand reached 140 for five at stumps with Henry Nicholls (36*) and Rachin Ravindra (2*) on the crease until the shut of play. India set New Zealand 540 runs to win after declaring their second innings at 276 for 7.Ashwin picked up 3 wickets for 27 runs from his 16 overs whereas Axar bagged one for 40 to go away the vacationers reeling on Day 3.IND vs NZ, 2nd TEST: HighlightsAshwin began the harm by eliminating captain Tom Latham (6) earlier than sending again Will Young (20) and Ross Taylor (6) to equal all-round nice Richard Hadlee for many wickets (65) in Test matches performed between India and New Zealand.Ashwin additionally accomplished 50 Test wickets in 2021, making him the primary participant to get to the mark. This is the fourth time Ashwin has managed the feat in a calendar yr. Pakistan quick bowler Shaheen Afridi is closest to him with 44 wickets whereas the latter’s teammate and fellow quick bowler Hasan Ali is third on the listing with 39 wickets.Axar despatched again Daryl Mitchell (60) whereas wicketkeeper Tom Blundell received run out so as to add to New Zealand’s woes in Mumbai.INDIA PILE ON MISERY FOR KIWI BOWLERSIndia would hope their bowlers have sufficient time left within the contest to dismiss New Zealand after the opening check in Kanpur resulted in an exciting draw, with the touring facet’s final batting pair hanging on within the remaining session.A day after changing into solely the third bowler to choose up all 10 wickets in an innings, the Mumbai-born Ajaz Patel picked up 4 extra in India’s second innings to take his match tally to 14.Left-arm spinner Ajaz lastly obtained some assist from his sluggish bowling colleagues with part-time left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra choosing up 3-56.The New Zealand quick bowlers as soon as once more failed to choose up a wicket however managed to limit the Indian batters from scoring freely with a line aimed toward their physique from across the wicket.Resuming the third day on 69-0, India openers Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara prolonged their partnership to 107 earlier than Ajaz despatched the previous again.Agarwal was out caught however not earlier than he added a assured 62 to his first innings rating of 150. Pujara additionally appeared set for a half-century after failing to attain in his final knock however was out caught within the slip for 47.Regular opening batter Shubman Gill, who didn’t bat at his standard place on Saturday after struggling a blow to his proper elbow whereas fielding, additionally missed out on a half-century by getting out on 47 as did India captain Virat Kohli, who made 36.All-rounder Axar Patel supplied some fireworks with the bat throughout his unbeaten 41, entertaining the Sunday crowd on the floor overlooking the Arabian Sea with 4 sixes and three fours in 26-ball innings.