The Day 1 of the third Test between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai saw players struggling under the scorching heat in the stadium on Friday, November 1. The morning session saw both teams battle it out in the middle as India picked three wickets while New Zealand scored 92 runs.
However, in the second session as the temperature began rising, players from both teams were seen down on their haunches surrendering to the testing conditions at the venue. As a result, the umpires were forced to take long drink breaks in the middle with support staff from both teams bringing out umbrellas and chairs for the players to rest.
Former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith also highlighted the struggles of the New Zealand batters in the middle and mentioned that even the local people were finding it hard in the middle.
“It’s an illustration of just how hot it is even for people who’re acclimatized and brought up in these conditions. They’ve brought the chairs out as well, it’s just oppressive for Daryl Mitchell and Will Young in particular,” said Smith on air.
Washington Sundar forced to wear Dhruv Jurel’s jersey
The struggles of the Kiwi batters were quite apparent as Will Young and Daryl Mitchell were jogging through their ones and twos without any intensity which was highlighted by Dinesh Karthik on air. Mitchell was also seen struggling with muscle cramps and was attended by the team physio as he lied down on the grass battered by the heat.
India off-spinner Washington Sundar was sweating so profusely that he had to return back to the dressing room multiple times and change his jersey. At one point, the all-rounder ran out of jerseys and came out wearing Dhruv Jurel’s T-shirt.
Washington Sundar(X/@ayushbisht1290)
Star batter Virat Kohli was spotted wearing an ice pack around his neck to keep himself cool. Umpire Michael Gough also had his clothes stuck to his skin due to sweat as weather spared no one in the middle.
Meanwhile, New Zealand were 183/5 after 52 overs in the session with Mitchell (50*) and Glenn Phillips (13*) at the crease. for India while Akash Deep also chipped in with one wicket.
