India’s Ravindra Jadeja ran the show on Day 1 of the Mumbai Test match on Friday (Nov 1) as the hosts look to avoid the embarrassment of whitewash against New Zealand. Playing at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, having already lost the series 0-2, Jadeja scalped five wickets to help India bowl out New Zealand for 235. Washington Sundar also continued his great form and took four wickets, however, the hosts failed to capitalise and ended the day at 86/4, losing four precious wickets.
Having opted to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand lost Devon Conway (4) in the fourth over of the opening session as Akash Deep scalped him. After a steady start, Skipper Tom Latham (28) and Rachin Ravindra (5) departed in quick succession as the visitors were 72/3. Will Young (71) and Daryl Mitchell (82) then stitched an 87-run stand for the fourth wicket before the former was caught by Rohit Sharma on Jadeja’s bowling.
Jadeja would then start his dominance with the ball as he added Ish Sodhi (7), Matt Henry (0), Glenn Phillips (17) and Tom Blundell (0) to his list of wickets to complete another five-for. Washington Sundar on the other hand was also on song as he bagged figures of 81/4.
New Zealand lost their last seven wickets for 76 runs as they collapsed with the bat before getting bowled out for 235 in the final session of the day.
India ended the day on 86/4, with skipper Rohit Sharma yet again disappointing with a score of 18 in the first innings of the Mumbai Test. Yashasvi Jaiswal (30), Virat Kohli (4) and night watchman Mohammed Siraj (0) also failed to make any impression as the batting unit once again collapsed. Ajaz Patel grabbed two wickets while Virat was runout in the final stretch of Day 1. India still trail by 149runs and will have a huge task in hand to avoid a huge series defeat before the Australia tour.