In a three-match Test series, India lost the first two games to New Zealand, thus conceding the series with one game still to go. To avoid a whitewash, India needed a win in the final match. Facing New Zealand in the Mumbai Test, India lost a thrilling game by 25 runs, resulting in a rare home whitewash. This was India’s first home Test series whitewash in 24 years, with the last instance occurring in 2000 when they lost 2-0 to South Africa.
In New Zealand’s first innings, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar’s spin put the visitors under pressure, with Daryl Mitchell and Will Young’s contributions helping them reach 235 runs. Mitchell scored 82, and Young made 71, while Jadeja and Sundar took five and four wickets, respectively.
In response, India was bowled out for 263, with Shubman Gill scoring a team-high 90 runs and Rishabh Pant adding 60. Ajaz Patel took five wickets for New Zealand, giving India a 28-run lead. New Zealand then struggled again against the Indian bowlers in their second innings, as Jadeja took another five wickets. Young’s 51 helped them post a total of 174.
India was set a target of 147 runs to win but struggled early, losing five wickets for just 29 runs. Rohit Sharma scored 11, Shubman Gill 1, Virat Kohli 1, Yashasvi Jaiswal 5, and Sarfaraz Khan 1, all dismissed cheaply. Pant’s aggressive 64 off 57 balls offered India some hope, but he lacked support from the other batters. With Pant’s dismissal at 106, India’s chase faltered, and they were bowled out for 121 in 29.1 overs. Ajaz Patel took six wickets, and Glenn Phillips claimed three, securing the whitewash for New Zealand.
Thus, the Indian team suffered a rare home whitewash in Test cricket.
