India suffer fifth consecutive batting collapse in series vs New Zealand | Cricket news

New Zealand players celebrate after taking a wicket in the third Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. (AP)

Even when India took the lead in the third and final Test against New Zealand, for the first time in the series, it came after another batting collapse for the hosts. India took a 28-run lead on Day 2 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai thanks to a fine 90-run show by Shubman Gill and a scorching 60 from Rishabh Pant. Washington Sundar, meanwhile, remained unbeaten on 38 runs.
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At the other end, Ajaz Patel took five wickets at a venue where he has enjoyed plenty of success. The left-arm spinner’s superb bowling after the lunch session took his total at the Wankhede to 19 wickets.
With the pitch favoring spinners more and more now as the Test progresses, India would not be satisfied with just a 28-run lead. But once again a batting collapse let them down – as has been the case throughout the series.

At the close on Friday, India lost three wickets for six runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Virat Kohli falling in a matter of 8 balls.
On Saturday, India did not deny this dramatically, conceding six wickets for 83 runs. The hosts went from 180/4 in the 38th over to 263 all out in the 60th over.
In the previous two Tests played in Bengaluru and Pune respectively, India’s batting weaknesses had come to the fore as they succumbed to New Zealand bowlers time and time again.
In the first Test, India were bowled out for just 46 runs – their lowest Test total at home – and were then dismissed for 462 runs in the second innings. In the second essay, India had lost seven wickets for 54 runs.
In the second Test, India went from 50/1 to 103/7 – losing six wickets for 53 runs – and then six wickets for 71 runs in the second innings (96/1 to 167/7).
It is no wonder after such a hapless batting show that India have already lost the Test series and thus theirs enviable record for home Test series wins. When New Zealand won the first two Tests, they ended India’s run of 12 years and 18 home runs Test series winner.