Rishabh Pant’s determined half-century was in vain as India faced a humiliating whitewash at home for the first time in 24 years, with New Zealand claiming victory by 25 runs in the third and final Test at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
India appeared to be on the brink of avoiding a humiliating 0-3 whitewash at home for the first time as Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja managed to stabilize the innings after the team was struggling at 29 for 5 while chasing 147—the second-highest run chase ever attempted at Wankhede Stadium. Washington Sundar also fought valiantly in the end, but his efforts fell short of guiding India to victory. The team’s best run chase at this venue remains 51 runs against England in 2000.
In their second innings, New Zealand was dismissed for 174 runs, with left-arm orthodox spinner Ravindra Jadeja claiming his 15th five-wicket haul in Test cricket for India. The Kiwis scored 235 runs in their first innings, while India responded with 263 runs. Needing 147 runs to win the final Test and avoid a clean sweep, India could only manage to score 121 runs.
Earlier, New Zealand broke India’s 12-year unbeaten home streak in Test matches by winning the first two games, marking their first series victory in India since they began touring in 1955-56 under Harry Cave. They also made history as the first team to achieve a 3-0 series triumph in India.
New Zealand wrap up a remarkable Test series with a 3-0 whitewash over India following a thrilling win in Mumbai 👏 #WTC25 | 📝 #INDvNZ: https://t.co/XMfjP9Wm9s pic.twitter.com/vV9OwFnObv
— ICC (@ICC) November 3, 2024
“Losing a series, a Test match, is never easy, something that is not easily digestible. We didn’t play our best cricket, NZ played better throughout the series. There were a lot of mistakes we made.” a dejected Rohit Sharma said after the game.
In the first two Tests, we did not put enough runs in the first innings. In this game we got the 30 runs [28] lead and the target was chaseable. We failed as a unit. When you are chasing a target like that, you want runs on the board. That was in my mind and it did not come off. When it does not come off it does not look great,” he added.
A look back at India’s last home whitewash
The last time India was whitewashed at home in Test matches was in early 2000 during South Africa’s tour for a two-match Test series, where they triumphed over India at Wankhede by 4 wickets in the first Test and then secured a victory by an innings and 71 runs in the second Test in Bengaluru.
Significantly, this marked the first time in 90 years that India has suffered a 3-0 defeat in a three-match Test series at home. Additionally, this series represented India’s first home series loss since England won the four-match series 2-1 during their tour of India in late 2012.
Following the series loss, India’s chances of reaching the World Test Championship final have diminished significantly as they prepare to head to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. To maintain control over their fate, they must win the series outright without relying on other results to favor them.
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
