New Zealand win 3rd test in a gripping 3rd day & beat India 3-0 in away Test series

 

In 2000, India lost both Test matches in a series to South Africa. Now, 24 years later, Rohit Sharma's team has again lost all matches of a home series—this time to New Zealand in a disappointing defeat.

After being bowled out for just 46 runs in Bengaluru, there were doubts about how many runs the Indian team could score in the fourth innings at Wankhede. Those doubts were confirmed as the Indian batting lineup, featuring stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, crumbled. Chasing a target of 147 set by New Zealand, Indian batters made a parade back to the dressing room. Rishabh Pant fought a lone battle, scoring 64 runs before being dismissed under controversial circumstances. Ultimately, it wasn't enough, as India lost the third Test by 25 runs within just two and a half days, being bowled out for 121 runs.

This series loss marked India's first Test series defeat at home in 24 years. The last time this happened was in 2000, when Hansie Cronje's South African team defeated India 2-0 on Indian soil. This was also the first time India lost a home Test series to New Zealand.

The world’s top-ranked Test team! It’s hard to believe. The best players against spin? That too seems questionable. AB de Villiers had recently said, “The notion that Indians play spin the best is just an assumption.” After winning the T20 World Cup and comfortably defeating Bangladesh at home, Rohit’s team was riding a wave of confidence. But that confidence masked a rustiness in cricketing skills, which perhaps Rohit and Kohli did not realize. The reliability of India’s two most senior batters has faded. Sometimes, they throw their wickets away with reckless decisions, and at other times, their skills seem to falter. This issue has trickled down to juniors like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan. The Indian batting display against New Zealand lacked responsibility, making the dream of winning the Test Championship seem distant.

Wankhede is the home ground for players like Rohit, Yashasvi, and Sarfaraz. Every blade of grass is familiar to them. Yet, the way all three were dismissed was shocking. Rohit (11) and Sarfaraz (1) lost their wickets to unnecessary aggression, while Yashasvi (5) missed the line and was trapped lbw. Shubman (1) was bowled by Ajaz Patel due to a poor judgment, and Kohli (1) was out to Ajaz's spin. India was reduced to 29/5 in just 7.1 overs, with no batter showing the patience required for a Test innings. Breaking the record low of 46 didn’t seem far-fetched, but Pant and Ravindra Jadeja spared Indian cricket from that embarrassment, attempting to hold the innings together. Under pressure, Pant didn’t hesitate to play aggressive shots, while Jadeja tried to anchor the innings. However, despite his careful approach, Jadeja (6) couldn’t stay long, falling to Ajaz. Washington Sundar, batting at No. 8, clearly struggled under pressure.

Pant’s valiant effort ended at 64. New Zealand appealed for a catch against Ajaz's delivery, and although the on-field umpire initially gave Pant not out, Tom Latham reviewed. The replay showed Pant’s bat and pad close to the ball simultaneously. Although Pant insisted that the ball didn’t touch his bat, Snickometer detected an edge, forcing him to return to the pavilion. After his dismissal, the remaining batters—Ravichandran Ashwin (8), Akash Deep (0), and Washington Sundar (12)—failed to withstand the pressure.

At Wankhede, Ajaz Patel once again proved dangerous. After taking five wickets in the first innings, he claimed six more in the second, finishing with figures of 6 for 57 & took the player of the match award . The Indian batters struggled against his spin. Glenn Phillips also troubled the batters, taking three wickets for 42 runs, while Matt Henry took one wicket for 10 runs.

On Sunday morning, New Zealand's second innings concluded at 174 runs, with Jadeja taking five wickets for 55 and Ashwin three for 63. Akash and Washington each took a wicket.

So the Kiwis have come to India without Kane Williamson  & Trent Boult and after a 2-0 thrashing to Sri Lanka in the previous test series but won here convincingly and deservingly  3-0 . 

The Indian batting against spin has looked all at sea in this series with the two seniors Kohli and Rohit totalling  93 and 91 runs at a measly 15 average  in the whole series . Rishabh Pant with 261 runs was the highest Indian run getter at 43 average . For New Zealand Rachin Ravindra (256 runs at 51 average ) and Will Young (244 runs at 48 average) were the leading run getters and Young for his great batting was adjudged the player of the series .  Amongst the Kiwi bowlers  Santner (13 wickets) and Ajaz Patel (15 wkts ) were the leading wicket takers .