END OF OVER:70 | 11 Runs 1 Wkt | IND: 276/7
- Axar Patel41 (26b)
- Ajaz Patel26-3-106-4
- Rachin Ravindra13-2-56-3
1.56pm: Where does Ajaz Patel's 14 for 225 rank among bowling performances against India in Test cricket? Right at the top that's where.
Gareth: "From NZ's perspective, the game cannot be salvaged from here, but some reputations can be - MUST be."
Tasmeem: "Should've allowed Axar another over or two to reach his fifty. It's not too many times that you have a chance to score twin fifties as a lower order batsman, with plenty of time remaining as well." --- Kohli probably didn't want to risk his bowlers getting any niggle of any sort or an injury when coming out to bat.
Aaron : "Axar has a higher test batting average than bowling average - generally the formula for considering a player as a legitimate all-rounder. Obviously early days but still an impressive feat"
1.50pm: India have declared with a lead of 539. New Zealand need 540 to win. India need 10 wickets, which seems far more likely - obviously. Axar unbeaten on 41 off 26. To give you a measure of cricket's changing landscape, that is the exact same score Sachin Tendulkar had got in the third final of the Independence Cup in Dhaka in 1998. That was the game in which India chased 315 for victory, and that innings was a whirlwind. Axar's was too, but in the T20 age, it's not as stunning anymore. Very dominant show by India. No single big score like Mayank Agarwal had in the first innings, but nearly every batter got a start and got some time in the middle.
J Yadav c & b Patel 6 (17m 11b 0x4 1x6) SR: 54.54
Shab: "Even if india bats for full day today it shouldn't make any difference whatsoever. 2 days are more then enough for them to take the ten wickets. If they fail to do that then they wouldn't deserve to win."
END OF OVER:69 | 11 Runs | IND: 265/6
- Jayant Yadav0 (7b)
- Axar Patel36 (24b)
- Rachin Ravindra13-2-56-3
- Ajaz Patel25-3-95-3
Wani: "Can't understand, why is India still batting?" --- why ever not? Only halfway into this Test. Plenty of time left.
END OF OVER:68 | (maiden) | IND: 254/6
- Jayant Yadav0 (6b)
- Axar Patel25 (19b)
- Ajaz Patel25-3-95-3
- Rachin Ravindra12-2-45-3
RT: "Axar is giving his audition for IPL 2022!" --- he hardly needs to audition. He's been a superb performer anyway. Plus he's been retained by Delhi Capitals.
END OF OVER:67 | 16 Runs 1 Wkt | IND: 254/6
- Axar Patel25 (19b)
- Jayant Yadav0 (0b)
- Rachin Ravindra12-2-45-3
- Ajaz Patel24-2-95-3
Deep point coming in
Hari: "Re : Ashwin not coming into bat,Reckon they want him fresh opening the bowling straightaway..."