For the first time in the IND vs NZ Test series, India managed to take a lead against the Black Caps. And now the India Cricket Team look well poised to win the game. Batting in their second innings, the Kiwis are reduced to 9 wickets having a lead of 143 runs.
If India can bowl out New Zealand early on Day 3 and win the Test match it will be a major relief for Rohit Sharma and Co. While the series would still be lost, but the will be extremely important. It will help India maintain the top spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) Standings.
3 wins needed in Border Gavaskar Trophy
After going down 2-0 to the Kiwis, Team India needed to win 4 out of their remaining 5 Test matches to automatically reach the finals of the WTC. And with this win over the Kiwis, team India will now need 3 wins against Australia in the 5 Test matches to play the WTC Finals for a third successive time.
India currently occupies the top spot and a slender win over New Zealand will help India maintain their top spot over Australia. Meanwhile, a 3-match win in BGT will help India automatically reach the finals without having to rely on the results of the other teams.
Meanwhile, the Indian Cricket Team were taken to the task by the Kiwis in Bengaluru and Pune. The entire batting order struggled against the Kiwis spinners who notched up comprehensive and dominant wins in both the prior Test matches.