Historically, New Zealand became only the second team in Test cricket history to whitewash India at home after beating them by 25 runs in the third Test in Mumbai.
Chasing 147 to save the ignominy of a clean sweep after being thrashed in the first two Tests, India folded up for 121 runs on the third day of the match at Wankhede Stadium. It was a moment of history for India in their 90-year-old Test history-to-date; the earlier occurrence was when the India team lost a home series whitewash against South Africa in 2000.
Meanwhile, Mumbai-born spinner Ajaz Patel was New Zealand’s standout player, who took home the player of the match award, as he accounted for 11 wickets in the two innings. His final wicket, that of Washington Sundar, was the last nail in India’s coffin. The New Zealand players erupt in joy.
Yet the Indians could thank their star keeper, Rishabh Pant, who continued to give hope to the visitors with his 57-ball-64 against an incisive New Zealand spin attack.
Captain Rohit Sharma has conceded that his side never played their “best cricket” in the series. Rohit credited the success to New Zealand because “this is their first Test series win in India, so definitely a big credit to them.” “It is never easy to take defeat, but we have to,” Rohit said at the end of the match, pointing out the failure of the batting unit to put up competitive scores.
He had managed just 91 runs in six innings across the three matches and conceded that his naturally aggressive game didn’t quite come off in tricky conditions. “You’ve got to be ahead and proactive when you are chasing,” he said, looking back at how things panned out.
The other important player, Virat Kohli, had a mediocre series for India with only 93 runs. India’s next Test series will be an away tour to Australia. The first game starts on November 22. Rohit did say that he is committed to doing a better job after a poor show in India.
New Zealand’s skipper, Tom Latham, was overjoyed as the captain to lead his team to this historic series victory. “To finally do it here in Mumbai, we’re very happy,” he said in the post-match broadcast.
New Zealand’s sojourn began with an eight-wicket victory in the first Test in Bengaluru on October 20-their first Test victory in India since 1988-before they clinched the two-match series with a 113-run victory in the second Test in Pune, where India failed on a pitch assisting spinners. Latham hailed the team’s effort, saying they adapted well to the different venues that came their way.
Young stood tall in the absence of injured former captain Kane Williamson and got the player of the series for his aggregate of 244 runs in the three Tests.
