Fri Nov 01 09:27:36 UTC 2024: ## India Needs a Win to Avoid Clean Sweep as New Zealand Dominates Third Test

**Mumbai, India:** India faces a daunting task in the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, needing a win to avoid a historic clean sweep. The Kiwis, who have already won the series with victories in the first two Tests, have dominated the third Test, putting India on the back foot with a strong first innings performance.

New Zealand, having won the toss and elected to bat, have built a commanding lead. While they have lost six wickets, their score of 192 runs, with Daryl Mitchell (53*) leading the charge, puts them in a strong position.

India’s bowling attack has struggled to contain the Kiwi batters, with Ravindra Jadeja taking three wickets and Washington Sundar claiming two. However, New Zealand’s strong batting display has put pressure on the Indian team to perform exceptionally well in their own innings to even have a chance at a victory.

The Indian team has made one change to their lineup, bringing in Mohammed Siraj for Jasprit Bumrah. Captain Rohit Sharma and key batsman Virat Kohli will need to perform strongly with the bat if India is to mount a comeback.

The third Test is crucial for India, not only to avoid a clean sweep, but also to maintain their top spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings. India requires four wins in total to secure a place in the WTC final.

**Key Highlights**

* New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first.
* Daryl Mitchell is currently unbeaten on 53 runs for New Zealand.
* Ravindra Jadeja has taken three wickets for India.
* India is seeking a win to avoid a historic clean sweep by New Zealand.

The match continues, with India needing a strong performance to turn the tide in their favour.

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