New Zealand is already leading in the ongoing Test series against India with 1-0. And, they are likely to win the second and last Test match as well because India had a poor outing on the second day in Christchurch. The visitor has already lost their six wickets and has only the lead of 97 runs.
However, bowlers were impressive overall but the batsmen had not shown any improvement whatsoever in comparison to the last innings at Hagley Oval.
In the first Test match, Virat Kohli and Co. could not touch the mark of 200 runs in both the innings while they put 242 runs on the scoreboard in the first innings of the second Test. So, the game isn’t out of India’s hand entirely yet. If India gathers 150 to 200 runs on the third day at Hagley Oval, the game is on.
Thus, it is going to be a crucial day for India to win the second Test match. Here, are the pointers at which the Indian team should focus more on a bid to eye levelling the Test series.
We take a look at three things India need to do to draw Test series level in Christchurch:
Lower-order batsmen need to set up the gas:
As the day ended with Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant were at the crease, the third day’s play will be crucial. If both the batsmen can stitch a healthy partnership, New Zealand might come under pressure.
Vihari had scored a fifty in the first innings so the team could expect him to repeat the same batting style on the third day. Well, talking about Pant, he can be the match-winner for India owing to his batting exploits.
Moreover, Ravendra Jadeja is also left in India’s batting line up. He has the ability to lead India to a respective total as he has done it many-a-times at home.
Also, Mohammed Shami can wield the willow.
If the trio can score runs, there can be chances for India’s win and New Zealand could even crumble under pressure.