LOTS TO SMILE ABOUT
The Times of India Mumbai|December 06, 2021
Ashwin, Axar Put India On Brink Of Series Victory; Chasing 540, Kiwis Slip To 140 For 5 At The End Of Day Three
Gaurav Gupta
LOTS TO SMILE ABOUT

Mumbai: Has the endgame begun in Ross Taylor’s glittering career? It was a question that popped up into the mind as the Kiwi veteran mistimed a slog-sweep — a shot he has mastered —off a R Ashwin delivery, with Cheteshwar Pujara running to his right to complete the job.

Looking to delay a certain defeat on Day Three of the second Test against India at the Wankhede Stadium, New Zealand were 45 for two when the 37-year-old walked in. With skipper Kane Williamson missing this game due to an elbow injury, the Kiwis would’ve expected the senior-most member of their team to put his hand up and fight. However, during his nine-minute visit to the crease, all Taylor, a man with 7,577 runs in 109 Tests, did was look to smash the ball out of the ground. Twice off Ashwin and Axar Patel, he was nearly bowled while going for the big, expansive drive. It seemed his mind was on the plane back home.

This tendency to commit hara-kiri then spread to the others in the Kiwi camp. Having just smashed Axar for a superb six over long-on, Daryl Mitchell (60, 92b, 7x4, 2x6) — who had played brilliantly till then, again tried to hit the left-arm spinner out of sight, only to mishit a ball a bit too wide from him to Jayant Yadav at deep extra cover. Later, ‘keeper Tom Blundell (0) ran for a non-existent single and paid the price, as substitute KS Bharat fired in a quick throw from mid-off to run him out.

This story is from the December 06, 2021 edition of The Times of India Mumbai.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 06, 2021 edition of The Times of India Mumbai.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE TIMES OF INDIA MUMBAIView All
US soccer scrubs Islamic emblem from Iran flag
The Times of India Mumbai

US soccer scrubs Islamic emblem from Iran flag

The federation said in a statement Sunday that it decided to forego the official flag on social media accounts to show “support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights.”

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Pyar Ke Saat Vachan Dharam Patnii begins on TV tonight
The Times of India Mumbai

Pyar Ke Saat Vachan Dharam Patnii begins on TV tonight

What happens when kismet takes over the lives of two couples belonging to two different sections of society?

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Arijit serenades music lovers in Mumbai
The Times of India Mumbai

Arijit serenades music lovers in Mumbai

Arijit Singh casts a spell with his voice

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
ARGENTINA LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
The Times of India Mumbai

ARGENTINA LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

Messi's Strike Rattles Mexico And Lusail, Brings Team Back From The Brink

time-read
4 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Costa Rica come alive
The Times of India Mumbai

Costa Rica come alive

Los Ticos Stun Japan With Late Fuller Winner

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Morocco's moment under the sun
The Times of India Mumbai

Morocco's moment under the sun

Inspired Atlas Lions Shock Belgium For First WC Win In 24 Years

time-read
3 mins  |
November 28, 2022
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, SOAR
The Times of India Mumbai

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, SOAR

Athletics Icon Usha Set To Become First Woman President Of IOA

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
Industry body calls for slower rate hikes
The Times of India Mumbai

Industry body calls for slower rate hikes

CII Asks RBI To Moderate Pace Of Raising Repo As Global Woes May Impact Growth

time-read
2 mins  |
November 28, 2022
The Times of India Mumbai

Insurance reforms may see PE funding surge in sector

Irdai Raises Investment Cap, Allows PEs To Be Promoters

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022
Cut ties with child-killing regime, Khamenei's niece tells world, held
The Times of India Mumbai

Cut ties with child-killing regime, Khamenei's niece tells world, held

Iranian authorities have arrested a niece of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after she recorded a video describing the authorities led by her uncle as a “murderous and child-killing regime”.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2022