Jubilee Post News & Views
Ashok Bhambi
IT IS NOT EASY TO SAY AT THIS STAGE THAT WHAT WILL BE THE END RESULT OF THE MATCH. IT IS NOT THAT IMPORTANT FOR KIWIS TO WIN THIS TIE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALREADY WON THE SERIES. BUT FOR INDIA WINNING THE MATCH IS VERY PRESTIGIOUS AS WELL AS IMPORTANT. FIRST THING WE WILL SALVAGE SOME RESPECT AND SECONDLY WE WILL GET SOME POINTS FOR WTC FINALS.
The first day game shows that match is evenly placed at the moment. Although India got them out cheaply but lost 4 wickets for 90 odd runs in reply . The match is now wide open and the outcome of the match will be decided by the 4th day’s game .
It all depends how Indian batters bat during the pre lunch session on the second day. If we add up say 100 odd runs and lose maximum one wicket in the first two hours session then the match may turn in our favour otherwise we will be in deep trouble similar to our position in the first two matches. It will be not only a big jolt to Indian cricket altogether but our morale will also be low while travelling to Australia for 5 match series if we loose this series outright
The Indian bowlers did a good job by restricting Kiwis at 235. Washington Sundar and Jadeja bowled some splendid spell on a slow pitch and it was treat to watch when they clean bowled many batsmen with their beautiful deliveries . There was some turn and bounce but it was not that difficult to bat on this pitch. The most difficult thing was the hot and humid weather of Mumbai.
The failure of Rohit Sharma once again put us back on the backfoot. Further loss of Jaiswal and Virat Kohli at the fag end of the day was a big shock. If we do not take a lead of 100 runs in the first innings then we may suffer the complete wash out in the 3 match series. It will not only a big shock but a shameful result for the cricketing giants. We can’t imagine losing to New Zealand 3-0 and that too on our home soil.
