IND VS NZ: After 12 years of dominance, India’s unbroken record of consecutive home Test series wins has come to a sudden halt. In a remarkable feat, New Zealand defeated India to claim the series 2-0, marking the first time since 2012 that India has lost a Test series on home soil. For Indian fans, the defeat has brought an end to a legacy of 18 consecutive series wins, which stands as the longest home series win streak in Test cricket history.
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A Streak That Spanned a Decade
India’s incredible home record began in 2013 when they whitewashed Australia 4-0. Since then, the Men in Blue have defeated every visiting team in a run that included triumphs over Australia, England, and South Africa. Their last series loss at home was to England in 2012, where Alastair Cook’s team emerged victorious in a thrilling 2-1 series. Fast forward to 2024, and New Zealand’s series win not only ended India’s streak but also secured New Zealand’s first Test series victory on Indian soil
The Unlikely Breakers of India’s Streak: How New Zealand Did It
The Kiwis’ journey to victory began with a strong performance in the first Test in Bengaluru, where they took advantage of India’s low first innings score of 46. After establishing a solid lead, New Zealand chased down a modest target of 107 comfortably, winning the opening match by eight wickets. Star bowler Mitchell Santner led the charge with a sensational spell across both innings, while Rachin Ravindra anchored the batting with a century.
The second Test in Pune saw a repeat of New Zealand’s dominance. India, after conceding a first innings lead of 103 runs, struggled to chase down the daunting target of 359. Skipper Tom Latham’s composed 86 set the stage for New Zealand’s victory, and despite valiant efforts by Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant, India fell short, bowled out for 246 to give New Zealand a 113-run win and the series.
Implications for India’s WTC Aspirations
The loss not only marks an end to India’s stellar home run but also raises questions about their qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The series defeat places additional pressure on Rohit Sharma and his team to regroup and perform against top tier teams in upcoming series. With the Australia tour on the horizon, the focus will be on identifying solutions to maintain consistency in both batting and bowling.
New Zealand’s First Away Series Win in WTC Era
This win is also notable as New Zealand’s first away series victory in the WTC era. New Zealand’s bowling unit, particularly the spin attack led by Santner, and a disciplined batting order, proved to be the perfect combination for success in the challenging Indian conditions. This historic triumph cements New Zealand as a competitive force on foreign soil and reflects the depth and quality of their squad.
India’s record-breaking home winning streak will be remembered as a remarkable achievement, but this loss underscores the areas where the team needs improvement. The middle order’s inconsistency and over reliance on top order partnerships have emerged as concerns, while the bowlers struggled to contain New Zealand’s batsmen. With the series against Australia on the way, the Indian team has a window to reassess and refine strategies.
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