The third and final Test match between India and New Zealand is set for Friday, November 1, 2024, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Both teams will aim to end the series on a high note, with India entering as favorites given their recent home performances and overall depth. Let’s dive into the match details, team previews, pitch and weather forecasts, and see who’s more likely to clinch victory.
Match Details
- Match: IND vs NZ, 3rd Test, New Zealand Tour of India, 2024
- Date: Friday, November 1, 2024 – Tuesday, November 5, 2024
- Time: 9:30 AM IST
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Broadcast Details
- Live Streaming: Available on JioCinema
Team Previews
India Preview
India’s lineup, led by Rohit Sharma, boasts an impressive blend of seasoned batsmen and a strong bowling attack that thrives on spin-friendly pitches like Wankhede. Batting mainstays Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant add significant firepower, while all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin bring both stability and versatility to the lineup. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the pace attack, India has both pace and spin options to counter New Zealand’s batting.
Key Players:
- Rohit Sharma (c) – Batting brilliance at the top
- Ravichandran Ashwin – Leading wicket-taker in home conditions
- Rishabh Pant (wk) – Aggressive middle-order batsman
Predicted Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand, led by Tom Latham, will aim to counter India’s home advantage. Batting contributions from Devon Conway and Tom Blundell are essential to New Zealand’s success, especially with all-rounders like Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips backing them up. Spinner Ajaz Patel, who took 10 wickets in an innings at Wankhede in 2021, will be key, along with seamers Tim Southee and Matt Henry, as they work to keep India’s powerful batting lineup in check.
Key Players:
- Tom Latham (c) – Experienced opener
- Ajaz Patel – Proven spin threat on Indian pitches
- Devon Conway – Reliable top-order batsman
Predicted Playing XI:
Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry
Pitch and Weather Report
Pitch Report
The Wankhede Stadium pitch is known for assisting spin bowlers, especially as the game progresses, while also offering some initial support to seamers with bounce and pace. Batters will need to be cautious in the early stages, but once set, they can score freely. The average first-innings score at Wankhede is 339, making a target of around 350 crucial for a competitive edge.
Weather Conditions
Mumbai’s weather during the match period is expected to be hot and sunny, with temperatures around 32°C and humidity levels around 65%. There is no rain forecast, so we can expect uninterrupted play throughout the five days.
Toss Prediction
Winning the toss is vital; both teams are likely to opt to bat first to make the most of the pitch conditions on Day 1.
Wankhede Stadium Records and Statistics
- Matches Played: 26
- Matches Won by Home Side: 12 (46.15%)
- Highest Team Innings: 631 (India vs England, 2016)
- Average Score Batting First: 339
- Highest Individual Innings: 242* by C.H. Lloyd (West Indies)
- Best Bowling in an Innings: 10/119 by A.Y. Patel (New Zealand)
- Best Bowling in a Match: 14/225 by A.Y. Patel (New Zealand)
Match Prediction and Winning Chances
Historically, India has been dominant on home soil, and with a well-rounded team, they look poised to secure victory. New Zealand’s chances hinge on strong individual performances from key players like Ajaz Patel and Devon Conway, but India’s overall depth makes them favorites.
Final Prediction: India to win the 3rd Test match against New Zealand.
Score Prediction:
- If India Bats First: 375+
- If New Zealand Bats First: 274+
Winning Chances:
- India: 67%
- New Zealand: 33%
Disclaimer: Our predictions are for entertainment purposes only. Our Website doesn’t get involved in or promote betting or gambling. Also, our team strongly discourages behaviors of participating in illegal activities related to cricket. Our experts try to be as correct as possible, but we do not guarantee 100% the right prediction.