CricBait | Poor umpiring, a massive target and New Zealand staring at a massive defeat vs India in Mumbai. Was Virat Kohli playing safe with a 540 run target? Yash Chawla chats with Gaurav Sethi, Khyati Patel & Ikpreet Singh
Also read: Ajaz Patel breaks Ian Botham's 41-year old record
New Zealand would need a miracle on Day 4 of the second Test against India to score the remaining 400 runs & win in Mumbai. The Kiwis were tottering at 140-5 at stumps on Day 3 after India put a massive 540-run target.
Overnight batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal started Day 3 proceedings on a positive note and put up over 100-run opening stand.
Skipper Virat Kohli scored a scratchy 84-ball 36 before getting dismissed by Rachin Ravindra. Axar Patel played a fiery cameo and entertained the Mumbai crowd before Kohli decided to declare at 276/7.
Meanwhile, Ajaz Patel shattered another record after returning with the match figures of 14/255, breaking Ian Botham's 41-year record of best bowling figures in India.
Chasing 540, the Kiwi batters failed to put up a show yet again apart from Daryl Mitchell who scored a gritty 60. With the Mumbai pitch deteriorating, Kiwis ended Day 3 at 140/5 still needing 400 runs to stun the hosts.