IND vs NZ 2021: To Take An Indian Team To Fifth Day Is A Challenge, Says Wasim Jaffer

Former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer said that it is difficult for any team to push India to a fifth day in a Test match.

New Zealand, led by Tim Southee (5/69), bowled out India for 345 just after lunch on Day 2 at the Green Park in Kanpur.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham (50) and Will Young (75) dominated the rest of the day with an unbeaten alliance of 129. 

To beat India is like becoming a final frontier: Wasim Jaffer

This Test match is poised for a result, with either side looking to pull it on the final day given the batting excellence so far in the game. 

Jaffer feels that it is a difficult thing for an overseas team to beat India in India and also said that taking them to the final day will be a challenge in itself.

“Up until now, after both teams bat, we won’t be able to understand where this Test match is heading,” Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo.

“I mean, it also goes to show how difficult it is to defeat India in India, earlier it used to be Australia. For every team to beat India is like becoming a final frontier. To take an Indian team to a fifth day is also a challenge.

“I mean that has not happened very often that the Indian team is struggling to win and going into the Day 5. So that is quite creditable for New Zealand to be in this position on Day 2,” he added.

The pitch is not spinning as much as we expected: Wasim Jaffer

The Indian bowling attack, which is boosted by its spin attack consisting of R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. 

The spin troika bowled a combined overs of 41 and conceded 92 runs in total. They were unable to get the better of the New Zealand openers on Day 2. Jaffer said the pitch has settled down and is not assisting enough spin. 

“I think sometimes on Day 1 you do have a little bit of moisture, and the pitch plays a little bit of a trick. I think it has settled down nicely. The bounce is more consistent even though it is on the lower side,” Jaffer said.

“It is not spinning as much as we expected. In the last session, it did a little bit of tricks. So India will be hoping that it starts to play the tricks from the first session. Generally, Day 2 of the Test match, decent Test pitch always plays better. So I think it has played up to his reputation,” he added.

At the end of the second day, New Zealand trailed by 216 runs with the advantage of 10 wickets in their hand. 

Also Read: Watch – Ravindra Jadeja Bowled By Tim Southee Early On Day 2