Mumbai: New Zealand scripted history by becoming the first team to beat India 3-0 in a three-match Test series on Indian soil. India lost the third and final Test in Mumbai by 25 runs to slump to a humiliating result that has brought down the proud record, which was until October, the envy of the world.
India had won 18 home Test series on the trot since bouncing back from a 2-1 series loss to England in December 2012. However, the streak ended in Pune when New Zealand punched above their weight and stunned Rohit Sharma’s men.
Ironically, India’s biggest low in Test cricket history came at the Wankhede Stadium, the venue where they lifted the ODI World Cup 13 years ago.
“It is the greatest Test match performance by New Zealand in the history of our game,” Simon Doull, former New Zealand fast bowler, told the broadcasters, beaming with pride and highlighting the enormity of the achievement.
India hadn’t lost a Test series at home since 2012 before New Zealand came touring in October. And for the first time, India have failed to win a single Test in a home series with more than two Tests. Rishabh Pant’s valiant knock went in vain on Day 3 as New Zealand rode on Ajaz Patel’s heroics to script history.
The warning signs need to be taken seriously as India are in danger of missing out on a place in the World Test Championship final for the first time since the format was introduced in 2019. With their confidence and ego bruised, India are set to face a tough task when they tour Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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