Wasim Jaffer
Wasim Jaffer (Credits: Twitter)

Former Indian batter Wasim Jaffer said there is nothing wrong for India to bat again in the second Test against New Zealand.

On Day 2, India see themselves in the driver’s seat after a commanding lead of 332 runs in the second innings at the Wankhede in Mumbai.

The day started with New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel, born in Mumbai, becoming the third bowler in the history of the game to pick all 10 wickets in an innings after Anil Kumble and Jim Laker.

Ajaz Patel scripted with figures of 10/119 against India in Mumbai

Ajaz Patel
Ajaz Patel (Image: Twitter)

Ajaz ended with the figures of 10/119 as India were bowled out for 325 in the first innings. The Mumbai-born New Zealand player got a standing ovation from the Wankhede crowd.

However, the Black Caps could not celebrate Ajaz’s milestone for a very long time as their innings folded up on a paltry score of 62.

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (4/8) led India’s bowling as Mohammed Siraj (3/19) and Axar Patel (2/14) were the other contributors for the hosts. New Zealand bowling all-rounder Kyle Jamieson top-scored with 17 before he was dismissed by Axar.

When the captain gets out on zero he will bat again: Wasim Jaffer

Cheteshwar Pujara paired with Mayank Agarwal in India’s opening slot in the second innings. The duo remained unbeaten as India’s score read 69/0.

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India had the option to force New Zealand to follow on in the second innings and try to wrap the game inside three days.

Jaffer believes that there is nothing wrong for the team to bat as they have three more days left in the game and players like Virat Kohli and Pujara, both of them were dismissed for nought, will get time to find form.

There is so much time left in the Test match, there is nothing wrong in batting again. You are going into a very big tour of South Africa, so the out-of-form batters can get a little bit of timing, it’s better than having any nets,” Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo.

Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahul Dravid.
Cheteshwar Pujara, Rahul Dravid. Image-BCCI

“Even though the conditions (in South Africa) are going to be a lot different. So if Pujara gets runs, Virat gets runs …and when the captain gets out on zero he will bat again. There are three days of cricket left, nothing wrong in that if the batters will get some confidence,” he added.

If India wins the second Test they will clinch the two-match Test series 1-0 as the first game between the two sides in Kanpur ended in a draw.

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