India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test: Haven’t planned anything special for Rachin Ravindra: Axar Patel

India
vs
New
Zealand,
2nd
Test,
Highlights:
Ashwin
puts
hosts
in
control
as
India
five-wickets
away
from
win

India
dominated
the
third
day
of
the
second
Test,
setting
the
Kiwis
a
massive
target
of
540
to
win.
Daryl
Mitchell
and
Henry
Nicholls
were
the
heroes
for
the
Kiwis
who
got
off
to
a
shaky
start
with
the
bat.
At
stumps
at
the
end
of
the
third
day,
New
Zealand’s
score
read
140/5,
with
the
visitors
needing
400
to
win.

In
the
first
Test,
the
New
Zealand
lower
order
had
come
to
the
party
and
denied
the
hosts
a
win
as
the
Kanpur
Test
had
ended
as
a
draw.

But
Axar
Patel
feels
the
hosts
can
get
over
the
line
this
time,
with
two
days
of
play
remaining.
India
need
five
wickets
to
win
the
Mumbai
Test.
At
the
end
of
the
third
day,
Nicholls
(36)
was
at
the
crease
along
with
Rachin
Ravindra
(2).
Ravindra
and
Ajaz
Patel
had
denied
India
a
win
in
the
previous
Test.

After
the
third
day’s
play,
Patel
said
during
the
post-match
press
conference,
“We
haven’t
planned
anything
special
for
him
(Rachin
Ravindra).
We
have
talked
to
out
bowling
coach
to
know
his
weakness
and
will
try
to
bowl
there
only,
We
should
be
patient
as
that
(first
Test)
time
we
had
less
time
but
now
we
have
two
days,
so
obviously,
that’s
an
advantage
for
us.”

India
vs
New
Zealand:
Test
hundred
always
special,
this
one
will
remain
forever:
Mayank
Agarwal

When
asked
about
his
camaraderie
with
all
rounder
Ravindra
Jadeja,
Axar
was
quoted
by
ANI
as
he
said,
“It’s
(to
bowl
wicket
to
wicket)
natural.
Whenever
I
communicate
with
Jaddu
bhai,
I
ask
him
about
the
mental
aspect
of
the
game.
Similarly
in
the
batting
too,
we
talk
about
how
we
can
accelerate
when
we
are
set
or
whom
to
target.”

Meanwhile,
Axar
once
again
put
up
a
solid
show
with
the
bat
as
he
scored
an
unbeaten
41
off
26
before
India
declared
the
second
innings
at
276/7.
Talking
about
his
show
with
the
bat,
Axar
said,
“The
way
I
batted
in
the
England
tour
and
the
way
I
am
batting
right
now,
the
Team
has
belief
in
my
abilities.

India
vs
New
Zealand,
2nd
Test:
Openers
Gill,
Agarwal
not
taking
field
due
to
on-field
injuries

“On
a
previous
occasion
I
had
failed
to
leave
a
mark
but
now
I
converted
this
chances.
And
when
me,
Ashwin
and
Jadeja
all
three
play
in
a
game,
our
batting
becomes
strong.
So
its
a
good
sign
for
the
team,”
added
the
all
rounder.

At
stumps
on
Sunday,
the
Kiwis
score
read
140/5
with
two
days
of
play
remaining.
While
the
visitors
need
400
to
win,
the
hosts
need
five
wickets
to
clinch
the
Test
and
the
series.

(With
input
from
agencies)