New Zealand inflicted an unprecedented 3-0 humiliation on India.

Hindustan Times

November 03, 2024, 13:55

Last modified: November 03, 2024, 13:59

New Zealand registered a landmark 3-0 series win in India, capping it off with a 25-run win on the treacherous Wankhede Stadium track in Mumbai on Sunday. The Black Caps bowled out India by 121 runs on the third day of the third Test, with spinner Ajaz Patel’s 6-57 proving crucial as he took his second five-wicket haul of the match.

It is the first time India have won at home since a 2-0 loss to South Africa in 2000, leaving Rohit Sharma’s side under pressure as they prepare for the upcoming five-match series against Australia.

Rishabh Pant was the only Indian batter to fight back, making a emphatic 64 after India were rocked early and reduced to 29/5 on a pitch that changed from the start. Patel, relentless throughout, took advantage of the situation to remove Sharma (11) and Shubman Gill (1) in two overs, with Gill departing due to a misjudgment of a delivery that crashed into his stumps.

Patel’s magic continued as he sent Virat Kohli back to the pavilion for just one over as the Indian captain tried to slip away from the catch.

The early collapse stunned the crowd, who watched as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan followed suit with five and one runs out respectively as the New Zealand bowlers dominated the Indian top order. The 42-run contest between Pant and Ravindra Jadeja provided some stability but a brilliant catch by Will Young ended Jadeja’s resistance at 71-6, leaving India’s hopes in tatters.

Pant’s exit after lunch after testing New Zealand effectively ended the chase as India’s lower order struggled to increase their runs against a testing Black Caps attack.

Historic Kiwi victory

New Zealand resumed their innings earlier with a score of 171-9 but lost Ajaz Patel Jadeja in the morning, who finished with 5-55 and a remarkable ten-wicket haul.

The series win was historic for New Zealand, marking their first Test series win in India dating back to their inaugural tour in 1955. It also ended India’s impressive run of 18 consecutive home series wins since their defeat to England in 2012.

Winning the first Test in Bangalore by eight wickets and sealing the second in Pune with a 113-run win, the Black Caps’ achievement was a landmark moment in their cricketing history.

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