When chasing 147 runs in the second innings of the third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai, India got off to a rough start. Before Rishabh Pant’s counterattacking 64 off 57 helped the team escape briefly, the top order disintegrated in eight overs, leaving India at 29/5 at one point. R Ashwin entered the crease after his contentious dismissal, with 41 runs still needed by the hosts.
Ashwin and Washington Sundar were the final two known batsmen to be eligible to bat.
Ashwin, meanwhile, had some luck in the 27th over after escaping a near-miss.The 37-year-old famously leaned forward to block a delivery from Glenn Phillips, but it bounced off the bat and slid back towards the stumps.
Ashwin made an instant attempt to halt the ball with the bat, but he was only able to reduce its speed. He received a lifeline, but the bails remained in place even after it finally struck the stumps. But Ashwin was dismissed for eight off 29 after Glenn Phillips defeated him in the 29th over, so his stay was short-lived.
Lucky Ashwin 😆
Bails stay firm despite the ball hitting the stumps! 😏#INDvNZ #IDFCFirstBankTestTrophy #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/aUksRPZHJe
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) November 3, 2024
The ball struck Ashwin’s gloves during his effort at a reverse sweep, and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell made a straightforward catch. As he made his way back to the pavilion, Ashwin did contest the on-field ruling, but the Ultra Edge displayed a noticeable spike. A golden duck was registered by Akash Deep to take his place.
Soon after, Washington Sundar also left as India suffered their first home red-ball series defeat in 24 years, losing the Test by 25 runs.
Also Read: IND VS NZ Third Test: Top 10 Memes from IND vs NZ, Third Test
Additionally, it raised concerns about India’s preparedness for the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as they had not yet confirmed their spot in the World Test Championship final.
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