• India managed to maintained a slim lead of 28 runs over New Zealand on Day 2 of the Mumbai Test.

  • Shubman Gill played a sublime knock of 90 runs.

IND vs NZ: Fans react as Shubman Gill misses out on a century by a whisker on Day 2 of the 3rd Test
Shubman Gill (Image Source: X)

Table of Contents

In a gripping contest that tested the mettle of the Indian batting lineup, Shubman Gill came agonizingly close to notching a well-deserved century, ultimately falling for 90 runs as India navigated a challenging situation on Day 2 of the 3rd Test against New Zealand.

A steady start amidst early turbulence

Gill entered the crease during the 7th over on the first day, following the premature dismissal of Rohit Sharma, who was dismissed by Matt Henry. Initially adopting a cautious approach, Gill soon found his groove, forging a vital 50-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the situation took a swift downturn for India as they plummeted from a promising 78 for 1 to a precarious 84 for 4 in a dramatic span of just nine balls by the end of Day 1, leaving Gill to shoulder the recovery effort alongside Rishabh Pant.

Shubman Gill: A collaborative recovery alongside Rishabh Pant

Resuming on Day 2 with 31 runs, Gill exhibited remarkable composure as Pant started the morning aggressively, striking three quick boundaries off Ajaz Patel. Gill’s first boundary arrived against Patel, yet he was prudent, resisting the temptation to accelerate too quickly. His aggression peaked momentarily when he ventured down the track against Glenn Phillips, miscuing the shot; however, a fortunate dropped catch by Mark Chapman allowed him to remain at the crease while sitting on 45 runs.

As the innings unfolded, Gill reached his half-century, marking his 7th in Tests and his first significant score since the Chennai Test against Bangladesh. Following Pant’s dismissal for 60, Gill ensured that India entered Lunch at a stable 195 for 5, demonstrating his ability to anchor the innings amid a batting collapse.

Also WATCH: Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket masterclass destroys New Zealand on Day 1 of the 3rd Test

Battling adversity and keeping composure

After the break, Gill appeared slightly cautious, skillfully navigating a challenging over from Patel. He narrowly avoided a potential run-out in the subsequent over while attempting a quick single. As partners continued to fall quickly after Lunch—first Ravindra Jadeja and then Sarfaraz Khan – Gill shifted gears, aggressively targeting Phillips and striking two boundaries to race into the 80s. Despite the mounting pressure, he maintained a solid defensive stance against a tricky Wankhede pitch, showcasing his adaptability.

The final blow: A heartbreaking dismissal

Nevertheless, the left-arm spinner Patel ultimately got the better of Gill, dismissing him as Daryl Mitchell took a sharp catch at slips. Gill’s innings concluded at 90 runs off 146 balls, adorned with 7 boundaries and a six, leaving him and the Indian camp heartbroken yet proud of his unwavering resilience.

Following the dismissal of Gill, India found themselves in a precarious position at 204 runs, with the innings nearing its conclusion. Pant had already played a crucial role, scoring 60 runs, and Washington Sundar stepped up to stabilize the innings. Despite losing wickets in quick succession, Sundar’s resilience ensured that India crossed the 250-run mark. The middle order struggled, but contribution from Sundar helped India reach a total of 263 runs. Ultimately, the Indian innings ended at 263 runs, giving them a lead of 28 runs over New Zealand. The fall of Gill proved to be a turning point, prompting a flurry of wickets, but Sundar’s late innings push was vital for India.

Here’s how fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/officialpratik0/status/1852617794585547253

Also WATCH: Akash Deep traps Devon Conway LBW with a sharp inswinger in 3rd IND vs NZ Test

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