The third Test match between India and New Zealand is to be played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from November 1. Earlier, the Kiwi team has won the series by defeating Team India in Bengaluru and Pune Tests. In such a situation, to avoid defeat in the third test, the host team needs every possible win. On the other hand, the New Zealand team will enter the field with the intention of a clean sweep.

According to reports, the pitch of the third Test match is unlikely to be a completely turning track. As was seen in the second Test match in Pune, where Mitchell Santner destroyed the Indian batting order. In that match, Santner took a total of 13 wickets, which included 7 wickets in the first innings and 6 wickets in the second innings.

On Monday, BCCI’s chief pitch curator Ashish Bhowmik along with elite panel curator Taposh Chatterjee spoke to Wankhede curator Ramesh Mamunkar about the pitch. A source told The Times of India that it will be a sporting track. There is still some grass on the pitch. The first day is expected to be good for batting and then the spinners will start getting turn from the second day.

Last time India defeated New Zealand in Wankhede

Last time in the last Test at Wankhede in December 2021, India defeated New Zealand by 372 runs. On a spin-friendly pitch, the Kiwis were bowled out for 62 and 167 runs, while the hosts scored 325 and 276 runs for seven wickets.

In that match, Ravichandran Ashwin took eight wickets for 42 runs, while New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel created history by taking 10 wickets for 119 runs in the first innings and four wickets for 104 runs in the second innings. He took 14 wickets giving a total of 223 runs.