In a significant moment for Indian cricket, the team faced its first-ever home whitewash in a three-match Test series, losing 3-0 to a formidable New Zealand squad. The final Test at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai ended with India succumbing to a 25-run defeat, marking a disappointing chapter for Indian cricket fans.
The match showcased New Zealand’s strength, particularly in their bowling department, with spin bowlers Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips wreaking havoc on India’s batting lineup. India struggled against spin, with only wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant offering resistance, scoring 64 runs in the fourth innings. The team crumbled under pressure, being bowled out for just 121 runs in their chase of a 147-run target.
On Day 3, New Zealand set India a target of 147 runs after finishing their innings at 174. Will Young’s solid performance, scoring 51 runs, provided essential stability to the New Zealand innings. While India’s bowlers, especially Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, fought hard to limit the runs, the batting order faltered dramatically.
Despite Pant’s efforts, India could not build any substantial partnerships, leading to a swift collapse. New Zealand’s spin duo was instrumental in dismantling India’s batting, with Patel taking 6 wickets and Phillips 3, targeting crucial moments to secure their victory.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, with Daryl Mitchell’s impressive 82 runs setting the foundation for their total of 235. Will Young supported him with a solid 71, ensuring a challenging first innings for India. Ravindra Jadeja led India’s bowling attack, achieving 5 wickets for 65 runs but faced an inconsistent performance from the rest of the bowling lineup.
India’s response was underwhelming. After losing captain Rohit Sharma for a mere 10 runs, Shubman Gill’s resilient 90 and Pant’s 60 gave some hope. However, India could only muster 263 runs, securing a narrow first-innings lead of 28.
This clean sweep by New Zealand highlights their dominance and reveals India’s vulnerabilities in spin handling, pressure situations, and overall batting performance. As they regroup for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Indian cricket must reassess its strategies to bounce back from this unprecedented setback.
Image Credits: India Today
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