Mumbai Test: Gill-Pant partnership help India recover
Shubman Gill (90) and Rishabh Pant (60) stitched out a vital 96-run partnership to turn the tide in India’s favor during the second morning of the final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai.
Team India were ultimately bowled out for 263 runs in the first innings. Washington Sundar played a crucial unbeaten knock of 38 off 36 runs.
Azaz Patel was the wrecker-in-chief for New Zealand with figures of 21.4-3-103-5
Pant set the tone by hitting Ajaz Patel for three boundaries in the opening over of the day. The left-hander’s intention was obvious and Gill also wanted to challenge the bowlers, especially the spinners. There was a certain level of danger present, but both batters managed to stay safe after each having a dropped opportunity.
Gill attempted to take on Glenn Phillips during the latter’s initial over of the day only to mistimed the shot to deep mid-wicket where substitute Mark Chapman dropped with a routine catch. Phillips also set up another opportunity, as Pant’s lofted shot went to Matt Henry at long-off, but the pacer was unable to hang on.
Pant’s wicket came as a respite for New Zealand after a tough morning session. The pitch provides ample support for the spinners and importantly, the bounce is unpredictable, unlike the usual conditions at the Wankhede.
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The downfall occurred 25 minutes before the lunch break, but India still had a successful session, adding 40 runs to their score compared to New Zealand’s first innings total. In his return match, Ish Sodhi got the only wicket, but the visitors will regret their missed opportunities from earlier in the session.
Rishabh Pant smashes record 36-ball fifty
Rishabh Pant achieved a new Indian record by reaching the milestone of the fastest Test fifty against New Zealand in only 36 deliveries. Pant smashed 7 fours and two sixes.
Pant broke the record previously held by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a fifty off 41 balls as opener in Pune during the second Test of the series.
Rishabh Pant also holds the Indian record for the quickest Test fifty, achieving it in just 28 balls against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in 2022. Former-Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq holds the all-time record with half-century off just 21 balls he smashed against Australia in 2014 in Abu Dhabi.
