IND vs NZ: India have sought a spin-friendly “rank turner” pitch at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium for the third Test against New Zealand, aiming to avoid an embarrassing whitewash on home soil. After losing the first two Tests, the series is 2–0 in New Zealand's favour, marking India's first Test series defeat on home soil since 2012 and the end of an 18-series winning streak.

India looking to avoid rare whitewash on home soil

The third test is very important for India. The team is hoping to avoid an unprecedented 3-0 defeat, a feat last accomplished in February 2000 when South Africa won 2-0 in India. New Zealand, seeking their first whitewash in India, took advantage of adverse conditions to win both the Bengaluru and Pune Tests, with the Indian team performing better in both pace and spin.

Pitch that helps spin from day one

The Indian management has requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to prepare a spin-friendly surface from day one. India intend to make use of the spin-heavy conditions after the struggle in Pune, where they lost 19 of their 20 wickets to the New Zealand spinners, with Mitchell Santner alone taking 13 wickets. The move comes following the ongoing challenges India face against quality spin bowling on turning tracks, as their batsmen have often failed to cope with the opposition spinners on such surfaces.

Ashwin and Jadeja trying to regain dominance at Wankhede

If India has to regain dominance, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will play important roles. Ashwin has had an impressive history at the Wankhede, taking 38 wickets in five matches at an average of 18.42. Jadeja registered six wickets in his only Test here. The red clay on the Wankhede pitch is known to provide spin as well as extra bounce, potentially helping the home team's spinners more than the slower Pune pitch.

How New Zealand won the first two tests

In Bengaluru, New Zealand's fast bowling attack proved fatal. The Indian batting lineup collapsed for a record-low score of 46, with Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke and Tim Southee sharing all 10 wickets. Despite a brilliant comeback from Sarfaraz Khan (150 off 195 balls) and Rishabh Pant (99 off 105 balls) in the second innings, India failed to chase down New Zealand's target of 107 runs. This was New Zealand's first Test win in India since 1988.

In the second Test on the spin-friendly Pune surface, New Zealand's Mitchell Santner, who had never taken a first-class five-wicket haul before, took career-best figures of 7/53 in India's first innings. Tom Latham's 86 runs set India a target of 359, but the hosts could only score 245 runs, leading New Zealand to win by 113 runs and clinch the series.

India's batting struggles against spin

New Zealand's success in the Pune Test exposed India's weaknesses on spin-friendly tracks. While Santner and the Kiwi spinners took advantage of the conditions, India's top order struggled to hold its position, and lost composure against the turning ball. In contrast, New Zealand's batsmen managed to find ways to deal with the Indian spinners.

For the third Test, India's focus will be on taking advantage of the spin-friendly conditions at Wankhede and preventing the Kiwis' dominance. Although the outcome of the series is yet to be determined, a win will safeguard some respect and help India gain momentum ahead of the upcoming tours and ICC World Test Championship matches.

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