With India striving to avoid a series loss and New Zealand hungry for history, this final Test promises to deliver thrilling cricket action
The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has been a fortress for India over the years, hosting numerous unforgettable matches in cricketing history. With India set to avoid a series whitewash against New Zealand in the upcoming third Test, it's time to recall some of the team's most decisive wins at this iconic venue. Wankhede has seen everything from heroics by spinners to stellar performances by batters. Here, we dive into three memorable encounters where India outplayed their opponents.
The India-New Zealand Test at Wankhede Stadium in December 2021 was unforgettable, full of standout performances and history-making feats. Batting first, India put up a formidable total of 325, with opener Mayank Agarwal crafting a superb 150. His patient yet authoritative knock set the tone, filled with 17 boundaries and four sixes.
#QuickByte: Best match figures for NZ bowler in Tests
— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) December 5, 2021
Sir Richard Hadlee - 15/123 vs AUS (1985)
Daniel Vettori - 12/149 vs AUS (2000)
Daniel Vettori - 12/170 vs BAN (2004)
Ajaz Patel - 12/187* vs IND (2021)#INDvsNZ | #AjazPatel pic.twitter.com/VyFY1PYptR
The highlight, however, was Ajaz Patel's remarkable feat with the ball. The New Zealand spinner captured all 10 Indian wickets in the innings, becoming only the third player in Test history to achieve this. His figures of 10-119 were a record-breaking achievement and a testament to his perseverance and skill. Despite Ajaz's heroics, New Zealand crumbled in response. They were bowled out for a mere 62 runs, with Siraj's early strikes and Ashwin's crafty spin contributing to a quick collapse.
India opted to bat again and further piled on the runs, leaving New Zealand a daunting 540-run target. Mayank Agarwal continued his impressive form, and contributions from Cheteshwar Pujara, Shubman Gill, and Axar Patel pushed India's total higher. Ajaz managed four more wickets, but New Zealand couldn't resist India's spinners without significant support from the other bowlers. They folded for 167, with Ashwin and Jayant Yadav claiming the final wickets. India won the game by 372 runs, marking a memorable victory where Mayank and Ajaz emerged as heroes.
The second Test between India and West Indies in 2013 at Wankhede was an emotional game, marking the end of Sachin Tendulkar's legendary career. Batting first, the West Indies struggled against Pragyan Ojha's sharp turn and Ravichandran Ashwin's precise spin. The West Indies were bundled out for 182, with only Kieran Powell's 48 standing amidst a sea of single-digit scores. Ojha's five-for was instrumental, claiming wickets at regular intervals.
#OnThisDay in 2013
— S H E B A S (@Shebas_10) November 15, 2021
Rohit Sharma Scored his 2nd Test Century (111* vs WI)
Indians to Score Century in 1st Two Test Innings
Sourav Ganguly (131, 136)
Rohit Sharma (177, 111*) pic.twitter.com/SgRfLXScrj
India's reply was powerful. Led by centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara (113) and a sparkling 111* from Rohit Sharma, India piled on 495 runs. Tendulkar contributed a nostalgic 74, with the stadium erupting in cheers with each run he scored. The innings were bittersweet, with fans cheering his every shot, knowing it would be his last Test appearance. Shane Shillingford's five wickets for West Indies were a solitary highlight in a dismal bowling effort.
Beginning of an End#OnThisDay in 2013, Sachin Tendulkar came out to bat for the last time for India. He remained not out on 38 at the end of Day 1 in the 2nd test against West Indies at Wankhede, Mumbai.#ThankYouSachin
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) November 14, 2020
(This pic was selected as MCC Cricket Photograph of Year) pic.twitter.com/A6H7wyw6tQ
In their second innings, the West Indies crumbled once again. Ojha was unstoppable, taking another five-for to seal the deal for India. Denesh Ramdin tried to fight back with a brave 53, but the West Indies were bowled out for 187, losing by an innings and 126 runs.
In November 1976, India faced New Zealand in the first Test at Wankhede, where the hosts emerged victorious by 162 runs in a low-scoring, spin-dominated game. Batting first, India faced stiff resistance from New Zealand's bowlers but managed to post a respectable 399, largely due to Sunil Gavaskar's composed 119 and Syed Kirmani's invaluable 88 down the order.
New Zealand began well, reaching 220 for 3, thanks to John Parker's tenacious 104 and Glenn Turner's gritty 65. However, India's spinners turned the tide as Bhagwath Chandrasekhar's four-wicket haul and Bishan Bedi's economical bowling restricted New Zealand to 298. The Indian bowlers exploited the pitch's turn, rattling the visitors and cutting down their scoring opportunities.
India declared their second innings at 202 for 4, setting New Zealand a daunting 304-run target. The fourth-innings pressure proved too much as New Zealand collapsed, with Bedi's exceptional 5 for 27 dismantling their lineup. Only Warren Lees (42) and Richard Collinge (36) put up a fight, but New Zealand was ultimately bowled out for 141, handing India a 162-run win.
