HIGH-FIVE FOR AXAR

Left-arm spinner helps India bowl New Zealand out for 296 in first innings

Axar Patel continued his golden run in home conditions, bagging another five-wicket haul to put India in the driver’s seat after New Zealand was bowled out for 296 on the third day of the first Test here on Saturday despite an opening stand of 151.

The left-arm spinner had a couple of dream sessions, when he finally found the ideal pace and turn off the surface to derail New Zealand’s first innings. His final figures read 34-6-62-5 as India got a crucial 49-run first innings lead, which increased to 63 at stumps.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was also on the money to finish on 3 for 82, inching closer to the third highest Indian wicket-taker’s spot in Test cricket. Axar has been terrific since being handed the India whites at the start of the year and has as many as 32 wickets in just three-and-a-half Test matches.

The five-wicket haul on Saturday was his fifth, having already picked up four in three Tests against England. At stumps, the host was 14 for 1 after losing Shubman Gill (1) for the second time to New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson, who again found a gaping hole between the opener’s bat and pad.

Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson managed just 18 and when Umesh Yadav’s cutter brought about his downfall at the stroke of lunch, the wheels of fortune turned in favour of India. This was after its openers Will Young (89 off 214 balls, 15 fours) and Tom Latham (95 off 282 balls, 10 balls) added 151 for the opening stand but both missed out on hundreds.

The second new ball did the trick just before lunch as Umesh (1/50 in 18 overs) pitched one on off-stump, which cut back enough to find Williamson’s pads. The next two sessions belonged to India as it got eight wickets for only 99 runs.

Axar removed Ross Taylor (11), Henry Nicholls (2) and Latham within a space of 13 runs to completely upset the visitor’s rhythm. The tweaker induced an outside edge off Taylor’s bat, which went to substitute wicketkeeper KS Bharat, who came in after regular gloveman Wriddhiman Saha complained of a stiff neck.

Nicholls tried sweeping a fuller delivery but was trapped LBW while Latham was beaten all ends up before being stumped. Later on, Axar dismissed Tom Blundell (13 off 94 balls), who looked to merely survive and finally got a ‘shooter’ that cleaned his defence. Tim Southee (5) became his fifth victim while trying to play inside an arm ball, which turned enough to hit the off-stump.

During the first session, Ashwin was involved in an animated discussion with umpire Nitin Menon. This was after he decided to come around the wicket against Williamson and was cautioned about his follow-through, which could have obstructed the non-striker’s view. At the end of the day, Ashwin cleaned up the visiting team’s tail.

I will give credit to my teammates for having faith in me. I have been able to stand up to their expectations

Axar Patel