3rd Test: WTC points at stake as India look to avoid whitewash against New Zealand

India vs New Zealand, Mumbai Test preview: Pride, reputation and WTC points will be at stake when India, having lost the series, take on New Zealand in the third and final Test at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

In Short

• Having lost first two Tests, India face New Zealand in must-win game
• India need to win Wankhede Test to remain in contention for WTC final
• Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli under pressure after poor form with bat

Pushed to the brink, India face an unprecedented home challenge in the must-win third Test against New Zealand-a battle for pride and a chance to dispel doubts about their ability to counter top-tier spin. With a series whitewash looming, India's batsmen and bowlers alike are under pressure to adapt and deliver, aiming to prove their resilience on a spin-friendly Wankhede pitch that could decide the course of their World Test Championship journey.

Under the relentless midday sun on October 30, India's batting group put in the hard yards at Wankhede Stadium, playing vigorously in pairs across four nets marked with white guidelines from off and leg stump. The main pitch had been rolled with a heavy roller, typically favoring spinners, while the strong sunlight kept it drier. With a fleet of net bowlers in action, nearly the entire squad took their turns, indicating a serious commitment to improving their batting ahead of the third Test. After struggling in three out of four innings so far, the preparation suggests that the red-soil surface in Mumbai may pose further challenges in the upcoming match.

COACH GAMBHIR HURTING

India head coach, Gautam Gambhir emphasizes that the entire team has to be held responsible for the twin Test defeats against New Zealand, rather than placing blame solely on the batters. India suffered its first home Test series loss in 12 years after falling to the visitors by 113 runs in Pune on October 26, following an eight-wicket loss in the first Test in Bengaluru. The team's total scores of 46, 156, and 245 in three of their four innings highlight their struggles against both swing and spin bowling.

Gambhir admitted that the series loss was hurting but added it can serve as motivation for improvement. "I won't sugarcoat it; it's hurting, and it should hurt. That pain will drive us to be better. There's nothing wrong with being in this position," he stated. He expressed confidence that this experience would encourage younger players to enhance their skills.

Gambhir also stressed the need for batters to adapt to game situations, insisting that Test cricket demands a strategic approach. "If we need to score 400 runs in a day, we must be able to do that. It's about playing sessions effectively; if we can manage 4.5 sessions well, we'll find ourselves with plenty of runs on the board."

Gambhir said they are aiming to win before embarking on a challenging Australia tour.

"We should try and win this Test match so that we can go to Australia with a win under our belt. It's another great opportunity for people to do something special for the country. We very well know that we represent 140 crore Indians.

"It's another opportunity because very few people get this opportunity and honour to represent the country in Test cricket."

WTC POINTS AT STAKE

The WTC points are like gold dust for India, who are desperate to make it to the finals at Lord's next June. If they miss the win here, they'll need to bring their A-game in the remaining five Tests in this cycle to keep their title hopes alive. What began as a bid for WTC glory has quickly turned into a campaign to reclaim confidence and mastery over spin-a field where they once reigned supreme.

After two stunning losses to New Zealand, India's path to a third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final has become a steep climb. While they cling to the top spot with a narrow lead over Australia, their qualification isn't secure. To lock in a top-two finish, India must win the final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai and then clinch a 3-2 victory over Australia. This scenario would lift India's points percentage to 64.04%, provided they avoid penalties for slow over rates.

WANKHEDE PITCH CONUNDRUM

When a home series ends in defeat after twelve years, and your star-studded batting lineup falters in familiar conditions, discussions about the pitch are inevitable. The Wankhede pitch, with its coastal red soil, promises a sharp turn and pronounced bounce from early on-a designed to benefit spin and turn India's fortunes. This move is not without its risks, as New Zealand's bowlers have brilliantly exploited spinning tracks thus far, leaving the Indian batters grasping for form. In preparation, the Indian squad has canceled optional practices, organized intensive sessions with spin specialists, and drawn fresh lines on practice pitches to refine their footwork.

During Wednesday's training at Wankhede Stadium, speculation grew about another potential rank-turner, with the red-soil pitch mostly kept under wraps by curators throughout the day. India's coaching staff, including assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, inspected the surface closely, assessing its readiness for the decisive Test.

ROHIT-KOHLI FORM WORRY

Captain Rohit Sharma and batting maestro Virat Kohli have been India's pillars in Test cricket, but their recent performances have painted a grim picture. Rohit has been bowled three times in the last two matches, including an ill-fated early charge down the wicket against Tim Southee in the first Test. Kohli, too, is feeling the pressure, especially after an eyebrow-raising missed full toss in Pune, which had fans and pundits alike raising questions.

Rohit and Kohli have managed just a combined highest score of 70 in the ongoing series, placing them under intense scrutiny as they prepare for the third Test in Mumbai. Both players have significant experience at this venue, yet they enter this match eager to contribute meaningfully to a team in need of inspiration after a tough start to the series. As both Kohli and Rohit navigate their thirties, some of their recent dismissals have sparked concerns about their reflexes. Nevertheless, they remain integral to the squad set to travel to Australia for a five-Test series.

TEAM NEWS FOR MUMBAI TEST

India coach Gautam Gambhir ruled out bringing new players for the final Test. "We are not in a situation where can think of that (giving chance to players who have not played)," Gambhir doused the speculations of an imminent debut being handed to Harshit Rana as reported in some quarters.

"Harshit Rana is not part of the squad. He has just come here to prepare for the Australia tour, Abhishek (Nayar) made it clear yesterday. IPL retention has nothing to be spoken about, we have a Test match here. "Everyone is available for selection, we will take a call tomorrow."

India's Predicted Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep

New Zealand's Predicted Playing XI: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, William O'Rourke