The India Cricket Team is running a risk of losing 3-0 at home to New Zealand. The hosts are slated to take on the Kiwis in the IND vs NZ 3rd Test in Mumbai. Reports have emerged that the Wankhede pitch won’t be a rank-turner. In the last two matches, India has struggled against the spin attack of the Black Caps.
The pitch is expected to have a bit of grass while spin would like to come into effect from Day 2 and onwards. And this means the pitch is likely to be sporting in nature. But in no way will the pitch be a rank turner in nature. India’s poor form in facing spinners has been a major concern in this series.
How will the Mumbai pitch behave?
Not just spin, the Indians have also struggled against the pace attack as was evident in the Bengaluru Test. On Monday, the Wankhede pitch was reviewed by the curator Ramesh Mamumkar along with BCCI chief curator Ashish Bhowmick and elite panel curator Taposh Chatterjee.
“It will be a sporting track. Right now, there’s a bit of grass on the pitch. It’s expected to be good for batting on Day 1 but should offer turn to spinners from Day 2,” a reliable source told the Times of India.
In the Pune Test, Washington Sundar bagged a 7-wicket haul but it was shadowed by Mitchell Santer’s brilliant spell. The Kiwi all-rounder bagged 13 wickets across both innings to completely dismantle India’s batting order.
With the series lost, India will be aiming to avoid a whitewash. The hosts need a win in the third Test at all costs to remain at the top spot of the World Test Championship (WTC) Standings.
