IND VS NZ 3RD TEST

TOSS UPDATE - The flip of the coin lands in the favor of New Zealand and Tom Latham elects to BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Dinesh Karthik and Murali Kartik are inspecting the Wankhede pitch. Karthik says that there is a bit of moisture in it and hence, it is dark brownish in colour. Adds that it is about understanding what happens when moisture is present. Kartik mentions that there will be a little bit of turn at the start and as the day progresses, it will get better to bat on. Also reckons that as the game progresses to the next days, it will take a lot of turn. Dinesh Karthik adds that there's help for everyone at Wankhede and believes that the pacers will also get some initial help from the deck. Murali Karthik wraps up by saying that the captain who wins the toss will like to bat first.

India face their own pressure cooker. Six Tests left, with a non-negotiable mandate - win at least four to stay alive in the top two. This match is a psychological dress rehearsal before the gladiatorial challenge of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The hosts' commanding lead in the WTC standings has taken a serious hit after two shock defeats. One more slip-up, and they'll be playing catch-up when they head Down Under. This is their chance to forge their mental armor before cricket's most intense rivalry. So basically, one match. Two narratives. Infinite consequences. Who blinks first? Let’s find out together. Toss, pitch report, and teams coming up very shortly.

Survival, strategy, and stakes - this Test match is far from being a dead-rubber, but a high-wire act for both New Zealand and India. Reeling from a clean sweep against Sri Lanka, New Zealand has improved its PCT by taking this series home, but still stand at a critical crossroad. Fifth in rankings but still fragile. What seemed like a distant dream has suddenly sparked to life. Two stunning wins have transformed their WTC campaign from wishful thinking to genuine contention. Grab another victory in Mumbai, follow it up with a strong showing against England at home, and they could be eyeing their next WTC final appearance, but, conditions applied.

New Zealand on the hand, have done almost everything right. As spin to win is the mantra in the subcontinent, the Kiwi tweakers have been effective so far. The one who once wrote ‘Part time cricketer’ in his social media bio, has wreaked havoc. Mitchell Santner now stands as the highest wicket taker of the series, despite warming the bench in the series opener. His stints of 7 and 6 wicket hauls, respectively, in the second game has further elevated his stature in the team. With Southee and Henry complementing his magic, and Ravindra standing tall as the batting backbone, New Zealand aren't just playing cricket, they're rewriting the rulebook.

Amidst the rubble, Yashasvi Jaiswal stands tall as the lone beacon in the top order. Sarfaraz Khan and the middle order have shown glimpses of resistance, though questionable shot selection continues to haunt them. Washington Sundar has emerged as a silver lining, making the all-rounder spot his own with compelling performances. While the spin department holds its ground, the pace battery, despite Bumrah's presence, hasn't quite hit their usual menacing stride. The result? A team searching for answers on familiar soil where they once wrote their own rules.

The hosts have been rolled over and the biggest worry for them has been the inconsistencies in the batting department. And moreover, they have been vulnerable against what was considered their strong suit - spin bowling, that too, on home soil. While the coach Gautam Gambhir said their skills haven’t gone down against spin, the stats of this series state otherwise. Out of 40 wickets fallen across both matches, 21 were against spinners. That’s a tinge more than 50 per cent. Also, the form of the big guns has come under the scanner. While Rohit has two Test centuries to show for this year, it’s been more than two years since Virat scored a Test ton, and also in any format. Nothing to take away from these stalwarts, but it’s time for them to step up with more steeper challenge awaiting in the near future.

The stakes at the Wankhede Stadium couldn't be higher. While New Zealand eyes a historic whitewash, facing the possibility of their second-ever clean sweep in Test cricket. The only previous instance came against South Africa two decades back, in 2000 - a two-match series that, by a twist of fate, began at this very venue. Now, as the action returns to Mumbai's hustle and bustle, the hosts look to salvage pride and avoid the unexpected, while the Kiwis aim to pen down what would be their greatest Test triumph on Indian soil and rather, in their history of Test cricket.

India’s streak of a tremendous home dominance has been thoroughly challenged and breached by the Kiwis and find themselves in unfamiliar territory. New Zealand have already won this series, leading by 2-0. Winning Bengaluru, New Zealand won on the Indian soil after 1988, and the only third time overall. And then laying siege on Pune, displaying sheer dominance. Now, they possess the challenge of a clean sweeping the hosts in their own backyard.

The caravan of this 3-match Test series reaches to its final destination, also marking the last game for India on their home soil in this cycle of the World Test Championship 2023-25. On that note, we welcome all joining us for the coverage of the 3rd Test between India and New Zealand. We are in the ‘City of Dreams’ and the iconic Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai is all in readiness to host this immersive match.

... MATCH DAY ...

After making history by clinching their first Test win in India in 36 years, Tom Latham and New Zealand took it a step further, sealing the series with a commanding victory in the second Test. Now, as we head to the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for the third and final match, New Zealand have their sights set on a series clean sweep, a monumental achievement that would underscore their dominance. For India, although the series is lost, there’s still plenty on the line. A win here would help them regain some pride and shore up their position in the World Test Championship standings after recent setbacks have left them in a precarious spot. The Kiwis have dominated this series with both bat and ball, putting up commanding performances rarely seen from touring teams on Indian soil in recent years. Their batting lineup has been formidable, with players stepping up individually to deliver strong performances, which has been key to their success. New Zealand's bowling has been equally impressive, consistently accurate and patient, which has paid off in spades by keeping India’s typically resilient batting lineup from finding its footing. With the series already in the bag, New Zealand may consider a few squad adjustments to explore fresh combinations or strategies. India, on the other hand, have fallen below their usual standards, and they’ll know that nothing short of a complete team effort will bring them back to winning ways. Every match now is critical for World Test Championship qualification, adding extra pressure, but India have a history of turning up strongest when their backs are against the wall. Their batting collapses have likely been a major point of discussion, and they’ll need their top order to step up if they hope to end the series on a high. Much will depend on captain Rohit Sharma, whose return to form could give the entire lineup the confidence boost they need. While India’s bowling has been solid, they may look to dial up the intensity in this match, and it will be interesting to see if they make any adjustments to the squad. With so much at stake, it is certain that India will come hard at the visitors, but New Zealand, riding a wave of confidence, will know exactly how to capitalize on their advantage and push for a historic sweep. All signs point to another thrilling Test match on the horizon!