New Zealand completed an unprecedented 3-0 series sweep in India, dismissing the hosts for just 121 runs on a challenging wicket to secure a 25-run victory on day three of the third and final Test at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Sunday.
This marks the first time India has been blanked at home since 2000, when they suffered a two-match series defeat against South Africa. Rohit Sharma’s side faces mounting pressure as they prepare for a demanding five-match series against Australia.
In a match dominated by New Zealand’s bowlers, Rishabh Pant stood out as the sole Indian batsman to show resistance, scoring a commendable 64 runs after India found themselves in dire straits at 29 for 5. Ajaz Patel led the charge for the Black Caps, claiming 6 wickets for 57 runs, marking his second five-wicket haul of the match and effectively dismantling the Indian batting order.
Sharma made an aggressive start, stepping out to hit Matt Henry for a four in the opening over. However, his disappointing form continued as he fell for just 11 runs after an ill-advised shot against the same bowler. Patel quickly added to India’s woes, taking two wickets in two overs, including that of Shubman Gill, who had impressed in the first innings with a score of 90 but managed only one run in this innings.
Virat Kohli’s struggles continued as he edged a delivery from Patel to slip for just one run, leaving India reeling at 18 for 3. The situation worsened when Yashasvi Jaiswal was trapped lbw for five by Glenn Phillips, and Sarfaraz Khan fell to Patel for a duck, hitting a full toss directly to Rachin Ravindra in the deep.
Ravindra Jadeja and Pant briefly steadied the innings with a 42-run partnership, but the match took another turn when Will Young pulled off a stunning catch, leaving India in further trouble at 71 for 6. Patel dismissed Pant following a New Zealand review after lunch, despite Pant appearing to suggest he had not made contact with the ball before the catch.
With the runs drying up, India collapsed dramatically, unable to recover from the early losses. Earlier, New Zealand resumed their second innings at 171 for 9 and were bowled out within 14 balls, with Jadeja dismissing Patel and finishing with figures of 5 for 55.
The series began with New Zealand winning the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets, marking their first Test victory in India in 36 years. They then sealed the series with a commanding 113-run win in Pune. This historic series triumph is New Zealand’s first in India since 1955 and ended India’s impressive streak of 18 consecutive series victories on home soil, a run that began after their last loss to England in 2012.
