New Zealand sweeps India 3-0 in historic Test series, ending hosts’ 18-series home win streak as Ajaz Patel shines with six wickets in a thrilling finale.
The Black Caps’ 3-0 series sweep of India was a remarkable performance, as they defeated the hosts in Mumbai on Sunday. The tourists bowled India out for 121 on a difficult pitch, claiming a 25-run win on the third day of the last Test. This stunning performance came 24 years after India’s last home whitewash, a two-match series against South Africa in 2000. With a five-match series against Australia coming up, the emphasis is on Rohit Sharma’s team to regroup and recover.
Ajaz Patel’s outstanding bowling contributed to New Zealand’s 3-0 series sweep, earning him Player of the Match after taking six wickets for 57 runs in the second innings. Patel, aided by Glenn Phillips’ three wickets, shredded India’s batting order, which collapsed on a spinning Wankhede Stadium pitch. Rishabh Pant was the only batsman to hold his own, striking a beautiful 64 as India fell behind at 29 for 5.
“It’s seriously special, first of all, to win a Test match here at this historic ground, but also to win a series 3-0,” said Daryl Mitchell, who scored an important 82 runs in the first innings. “It’s something you fantasize of. To come over here and actually win against a world-class Indian squad is quite remarkable.”
New Zealand’s 3-0 series sweep began with an eight-wicket triumph in Bengaluru, their first Test win in India in 36 years. They then extended their dominance in Pune with a 113-run victory, securing the series. This historic series victory, New Zealand’s debut Test series triumph in India since they began touring in 1955, halted India’s outstanding streak of 18 straight home series triumphs.
Chasing 147 in the last innings, India started aggressively, with Rohit Sharma hitting a four off Matt Henry’s opening ball. However, his form faltered once more, and he fell for eleven. Patel immediately picked up two more key wickets, dismissing Shubman Gill, who had shown promise with a 90 in the first innings, and the seasoned Virat Kohli for a single. As India battled to recover from 18 for three, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan’s quick dismissals exacerbated the crisis.
A small rebound occurred when Ravindra Jadeja joined Pant for a 42-run stand, but Will Young’s superb catch off Jadeja’s stroke at 71 for six left India in disarray. Despite Pant’s objections, Patel removed him for 64 following a successful review, and India’s batting line-up collapsed, with Washington Sundar the final out.
Reflecting on the New Zealand 3-0 series sweep, Sharma stated, “Losing a series, losing a Test match is never easy. It is not easily absorbed. But we realize that we didn’t play our best cricket. New Zealand outperformed us throughout. Sharma also admitted his own shortcomings as captain, both on and off the field, which contributed to India’s poor performance.
This New Zealand 3-0 series sweep solidifies the Black Caps’ status as one of the best sides in the world of cricket. It also highlights the issues India faces ahead of their highly anticipated series against Australia. The Black Caps will return home with a sense of accomplishment after doing what many thought was impossible: defeating India in their own backyard in a thundering and historic sweep.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Surpassed as IPL 2025’s Most Expensive Retain has announced.