New Zealand vs India 2020: Three Things India Need To Do On Day Three To Win The Second Test

The Indian team faces an uphill task as they head to day three of the second and the final Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The tourists finished day two at 90-6 with a 97 run-lead after securing a narrow lead of seven runs by bowling out New Zealand for 235.

Their bowlers improved drastically from the first game; however, their batsmen faltered yet again while some magnificent bowling by the Kiwi pacers.

In the first Test in Wellington, Virat Kohli’s men failed to cross 200-run mark in both the innings.

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But the game isn’t out of India’s hand entirely yet. Considering how New Zealand’s first innings panned out if the tailenders can rack up a lead of 150-200, it could be handy in the fourth innings.

Additionally, the bowlers did their part in the first innings. But their task requires more polishing if they want to get past the home side. That said, it is going to be an important day for both the teams. However, the focus would arguably fall on Virat Kohli’s men.

We take a look at three things India need to do to draw level in Christchurch:

Lower-order batsmen need to play a crucial role:

Even after losing six wickets for under 100, India have Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant out in the middle with Ravindra Jadeja also in the shed.

India must make use of this advantage judiciously on day three as all three possess the ability to contribute handy runs.

Also, Mohammed Shami has showcased what he could do with the bat in the first innings, smashing the frontline bowlers for massive sixes. But the onus falls on the likes of Vihari, Pant, and Jadeja – to bat deep and push the lead at least past 150.

If the trio can manage to bat out most of the day, there could be nothing better than that. Even if the pitch eases out, a target above that should give New Zealand plenty to worry about.

Getting the wickets of Black Caps’ top-order early:

India’s opening pair have put on 38 across two innings in the ongoing Test while Tom Latham and Tom Blundell have put 66 in only one.

Though the hosts couldn’t capitalize on their solid start, an opening partnership above 60 is precisely a team can ask for. The duo intelligently survived the pace trio to put the tourists under pressure early on.

Thus, India’s pace attack has to find a way to get the top-order early, if they happen to bowl tomorrow. Another strong opening stand can severely dent India’s chances of levelling the series.

Getting the tailenders cheaply:

In a likely scenario that India bowls tomorrow, the tourists must also chip away New Zealand’s tail as early as possible. The duo of Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner did their job with the ball. But they also became a thorn with the bat. If not for their stand of 51 in-home side’s first innings, India could have had a lead of more than 40 runs.

Not only in the ongoing Test match, but the Indian team have also faced the issue of not dismissing the tail earlier.

The bowlers of the opposition have hurt them in several cases with the bat. And in a manner that they have gone on to lose the match from being in a position to dictate the terms.

Hence, New Zealand’s tail would once again be very vital.

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