NEW DELHI: India faced a historic 0-3 series whitewash at home for the first time in over 24 years, losing the third Test to New Zealand by 25 runs at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. This marks the first time India has been swept at home in a three-Test series, with New Zealand becoming the first team to achieve this feat.
New Zealand’s dominance began with an 8-wicket victory in Bengaluru, followed by a 113-run win in Pune. Chasing a modest 147-run target in the final Test, India found themselves in familiar trouble, crumbling to 29/5. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja managed to stabilize briefly with a 42-run sixth-wicket partnership. Earlier in the day, Jadeja had completed his second five-wicket haul of the match, bowling New Zealand out for 174.
India’s chase took a rocky start, with captain Rohit Sharma falling to Matt Henry for 11. Shubman Gill, who scored 90 in the first innings, was bowled by Ajaz Patel for just 1. India’s mainstay, Virat Kohli, continued his struggle, caught at first slip by Daryl Mitchell off Ajaz for 1. Quick dismissals followed, leaving India at 92/6 by lunch. Rishabh Pant kept the fight alive with a 48-ball half-century, but his dismissal for 64 shortly after lunch spelled India’s defeat as they collapsed to 121 all out in just 29.1 overs. Ajaz Patel starred with the ball, taking 6/57, while Glenn Phillips added 3/42.
This victory makes New Zealand the first team since 2012 to secure a Test series win on Indian soil, ending India’s 18-series home-winning streak since a 2-1 defeat to England. India, last beaten 0-2 at home by South Africa in 2000, now face a crucial five-match series against Australia where they will be eager to bounce back.
