MUMBAI: New Zealand bowled out India for 121, sealing a 25-run victory in the third and final Test in Mumbai on Sunday and completed an unprecedented 3-0 series sweep against India.
The last time India was whitewashed at home was in 2000 during a two-match series against South Africa.
Chasing 147 for victory, India collapsed on a tricky pitch at Wankhede Stadium, marking their first home defeat since a 2-0 loss to South Africa in 2000.
Ajaz Patel took 6 for 57, leading the tourists to their first series win in India since 1955 and ending India’s home streak of 18 consecutive series victories since a 2-1 loss to England in 2012.
Rohit Sharma’s side, dropped to second in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, will now face huge pressure ahead of a challenging five-match series against Australia.
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Rishabh Pant was the standout performer for India, scoring a brilliant 64 after the team was reduced to 29 for 5 on a turning track.
Ajaz Patel’s impressive performance included his second five-wicket haul of the match, once again dismantling the Indian batting lineup.
Shocking 3-0 Test series defeat marks the first time in 90 years that India has lost a three-match Test series at home 3-0. Additionally, it is India’s first home series defeat since England won the four-match series 2-1 during their tour in late 2012.
With this series loss, India heads to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, facing slimmer chances of reaching the World Test Championship final.
They will need to win the series outright to keep their fate in their own hands, without relying on other results.
