Small partnerships to take the team's total over 230 will be our game plan: Ravindra Jadeja

India had a terrific day with the ball in the third Test against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai but the batters once again let down the team. Captain Rohit Sharma looked in good touch as he hit three boundaries but the 37-year-old once again failed to convert the start he got, departing after 18 runs. Youngsters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill tried to stitch a partnership but the former got out after scoring 30 runs.

After Jaiswal’s dismissal, Mohammed Siraj was sent in as a night-watchman but the move backfired as he departed for a golden duck. He failed to decipher Ajaz Patel’s delivery and was LBW. The pacer also wasted a review in the process. Soon after that, star batter Virat Kohli also made his way back to the pavilion due to a run-out. He tried to pick up a quick single but fell short.

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India finished the day on 86/4, trailing by 149 runs. Speaking on the same, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja mentioned that the last 15 minutes of the day did not go in their favour as miscommunication and misjudgement put the hosts in a difficult spot. However, he expects the other players to form small partnerships and take a lead in the first innings.

“As a batting unit, we need a collective effort. It was unexpected, miscommunication and misjudgement happens. We are 150 runs behind, small partnerships to take the team's total over 230 will be our game plan,” Jadeja said after the end of the day’s play.

Taking a fifer for India in Tests, it's always special: Jadeja

The first two sessions of the day belonged to team India. Jadeja had a tough time in the series so far but in Mumbai, he bounced back, picking up a five-wicket haul. Reflecting on the same, he mentioned that picking up a fifer in Test cricket is always special and he liked bowling alongside Washington Sundar, who picked up four.

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“Taking a fifer for India in Tests, it's always special. Felt good that I helped my team in getting breakthroughs. It wasn't an easy bowl in the heat, Washington bowled well and everyone played their roles,” he added.