Indian bowlers missed the opportunity to break into the New Zealand batting order but the wicket of Devon Conway at the critical juncture of the third day’s play before the rain came back to stop the game has given them a sight of hope in the views of the opener Shubman Gill.
He lamented the lack of opportunity to attack the then-new batsman Ross Taylor as players were rushed back to the pavilion due to bad light. However, he said that bowlers would fancy their chances on the fourth day morning as both Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have not spent long hours at the crease.
“It (Conway) was a crucial wicket for us and I feel that if we would have been able to bowl a few overs to Ross Taylor, we might have been able to get a couple of more wickets. We would have a slight edge tomorrow as both batsmen (Taylor and Kane Williamson) are relatively new at the crease,” Gill said during the media conference.
Indian batting for all the might it possess, they have not crossed 250 runs in the last five innings against New Zealand and the fact was not lost on Gill as well. He said that the Virat Kohli-led batting lineup was on their way to mending the course but wickets in quick succession halted the progress.
“I think the Tests we played in New Zealand (in 2020), we didn’t have too much time to prepare as the focus was more on ODIs and T20s. As you said, we haven’t been able to cross 250 in the last five Tests. This Test also we were in a solid position but we lost couple of early wickets today. But hopefully, if we get some time, in the next innings, we will cross 250,” Gill said.
Gill also appreciated the impressive spell of seam bowling by Kyle Jamieson, who picked up a five-wicket haul to break the backbone of the Indian batting order on the third day.
He said that although Indian bowlers were not able to extract too many wickets on the third day, it was more down to lack of luck than poor bowling and that they would buy their own luck on the fourth day.
“He (Jamieson) was bowling well during the first spell but he didn’t get many wickets. But he got his reward today and I feel our bowlers also bowled well. However luck didn’t favour us and there were a couple of half chances which didnt go our way. Hopefully, tomorrow is a new day and it will bring us some luck,” Gill concluded.
The fourth day of the World Test Championship final is once again under the dark clouds and the possibility of a result in favour of any side now hinges on the batting collapse of a side.