Sat Nov 02 03:23:33 UTC 2024: ## India’s Batting Collapse Hands New Zealand Advantage in Mumbai Test

**Mumbai, India -** A thrilling day of Test cricket at the Wankhede Stadium took a dramatic turn as India suffered a stunning batting collapse in the final session, handing the initiative back to New Zealand.

After a strong start to the day, where India restricted New Zealand to 235 runs thanks to a five-wicket haul by Ravindra Jadeja and four wickets from Washington Sundar, the hosts lost three quick wickets, going from 78/2 to 86/4.

Yashasvi Jaiswal fell victim to a risky reverse sweep, while Mohammed Siraj and Virat Kohli were dismissed in quick succession, leaving India in a precarious position. The team’s aggressive approach against the spin bowlers, particularly against the returning Ajaz Patel, proved costly on a pitch offering assistance to the spinners.

“India’s propensity to collapse came back in the fag end of Friday,” a commentator noted, highlighting the team’s recent struggle to maintain consistency in their batting performances.

With the match evenly poised, both teams are now vying for an advantage heading into the final two days of the third Test. While New Zealand will look to build on their momentum, India will need to regroup and regain their composure to avoid conceding a significant first-innings lead. The next few hours will be crucial as Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant return to the crease, hoping to steer India towards a more stable batting performance.

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