India vs New Zealand : New Zealand’s cricket team has achieved what was long considered nearly impossible, defeating India in a Test series on home soil, not just once, but with a resounding 3-0 clean sweep. This stunning victory came in the third Test match on November 3, 2024, at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. With India’s reputation as an almost invincible team at home, the series loss has shocked fans and reshaped expectations for Test cricket in India.
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Let’s have a look into more details :India vs New Zealand
Breaking a 24-Year Streak: New Zealand’s Historic Whitewash
New Zealand’s 3-0 triumph marks only the third time in history that India has lost three consecutive Tests in a home series. This result places New Zealand in an elite category of teams who have achieved this remarkable feat, joining the ranks of the West Indies in 1958-59 and England in 1976-77. The last time India faced a clean sweep at home was in 2000, when South Africa, led by Hansie Cronje, defeated India 2-0.
With their victory, Tom Latham’s side didn’t just win a Test series,they redefined their place in cricket history and underscored India’s vulnerability on spinning tracks. It’s worth noting that this was also New Zealand’s first Test series win in India, an achievement that had eluded them until now.
The Decisive Third Test: New Zealand Defends 147
India entered the third Test in Mumbai, hoping to salvage a win, but New Zealand’s bowling, led by Mumbai born Ajaz Patel, proved too formidable. Chasing a modest target of 147 on a spinning Wankhede track, India struggled, collapsing to 121 all out in just 29.1 overs. Rishabh Pant’s courageous 64 was the lone bright spot, but it wasn’t enough to stave off defeat.
Ajaz Patel’s heroics with the ball, claiming 11 wickets across both innings, earned him the title of Player of the Match. His performance was the cornerstone of New Zealand’s victory, with his final wicket dismissing Washington Sundar and sparking jubilant celebrations among the Black Caps.
India’s Struggles Against Spin
India’s usually formidable batting lineup faltered throughout the series against New Zealand’s spinners. In the third Test, Ajaz Patel, alongside other Kiwi bowlers, exploited the Indian batsmen’s weakness on a spin friendly pitch. This series has continued a concerning trend for India, who have increasingly struggled against spin attacks in recent years.
- India’s five sub 200 target failures: Over the past decade, India has faltered multiple times while chasing under 200, a sharp contrast to their dominance from 2010-2019.
- Lowest targets defended by New Zealand: New Zealand’s successful defense of 147 joins their historic low-score defenses, such as the 137 against England in Wellington (1978) and 246 against England at The Oval (1999).
Leadership Under Pressure: Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir
This series was a challenging one for India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma. Unable to find his rhythm, Rohit struggled with both his captaincy and batting. His attacking approach backfired, leaving him with a series aggregate of 91 runs in six innings. Speaking after the loss, Rohit acknowledged the collective failure of the team and took responsibility, emphasizing that India didn’t put enough runs on the board to back up their bowlers.
India’s new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, faced a tough debut series as well. Having taken over the coaching role, Gambhir hoped to extend India’s winning streak at home, only to see it broken in his first series. His challenge now lies in regrouping the team and preparing for the upcoming five Test series against Australia, a critical series in the World Test Championship.
A Defining Moment for New Zealand Cricket
For New Zealand, this series will be remembered as a crowning achievement in their Test cricket history. Captain Tom Latham praised his team for their adaptability and resilience across all three matches. Star batter Will Young, who filled in at one down in the absence of Kane Williamson, shone with 244 runs, earning him the Player of the Series title. Latham acknowledged the team’s all round performance, attributing their success to the ability of different players to step up when needed.
With a World Test Championship spot on the line, India’s journey to reclaim their dominance at home starts with hard introspection and recalibration. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how the Indian team responds in their next challenge against Australia.
This series defeat will likely spark discussions in Indian cricket circles, especially as the team heads to Australia in November for a critical Test series. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s historic win in India boosts their confidence and establishes them as a powerful force in world cricket.
FAQs
Is this New Zealand’s first Test series win in India?
Yes, this was New Zealand’s first ever Test series win in India
Has any team ever whitewashed India in a Test series at home before?
Yes, before New Zealand, only South Africa (2000) managed to whitewash India in a Test series at home
