New Zealand’s captain, Tom Latham, encountered an unfortunate moment during the third and final Test against India at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. On the opening day of the match, while facing Indian pacer Akash Deep, Latham took an awkward blow to the box in a rare and painful incident that briefly paused the game. It happened during New Zealand’s first innings on just the third ball of the second over.
Akash Deep, coming in over the wicket, delivered a length ball on leg stump at a speed of 132.6 km/h. Latham, attempting a shot toward mid-wicket, missed his timing and was hit instead, leading to a wince-inducing moment that caused a stir both on the field and among spectators.
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This Test marked a crucial toss win for Latham, who chose to bat first, eager to end the series on a high note. New Zealand entered the game with two changes to their lineup: spinner Mitchell Santner was sidelined with a side strain, while Matt Henry stepped in to replace the experienced pacer Tim Southee, adjusting New Zealand’s bowling strategy for the final showdown.
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The visitors were looking to seal a series sweep after two strong performances in the earlier matches. Meanwhile, the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, felt the pressure of being down 0-2 in the home series. Determined to salvage a win, India introduced a fresh face to the bowling lineup as Akash Deep delivered an early breakthrough, dismissing New Zealand’s Devon Conway for just four runs off 11 balls.
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India, however, had to make do without Jasprit Bumrah, their usual vice-captain and lead pacer, who was sidelined due to an illness that kept him out of action. Mohammed Siraj, returning after missing the previous match, stepped into Bumrah’s role, while the rest of the squad remained unchanged from the last game. This final Test presents a crucial opportunity for India to regain confidence and avoid a series sweep on home turf.
