For the first time since India have been playing Test cricket at starting from December 1933, they were whitewashed at home in a series with three or more matches. (BCCI)
Rohit Sharma’s message after the series defeat was confirmed in Pune was that there was no need to overreact. He conceded his team had not played good cricket, but one series defeat in 12 years at home pointed to how high the bar has been set. Well, in Mumbai, things only got worse for the Indian men’s cricket team.
This wasn’t just any series defeat. For the first time since India have been playing Test cricket at starting from December 1933, they were whitewashed at home in a series with three or more matches. India have played 294 Tests since at home, dating back to their first-ever appearance at the Bombay Gymkhana Ground and their 58th defeat came against New Zealand, who won 3-0.
The only other instance of India being clean-swept at home in a series comprising at least two games was against South Africa. That was a two-match series that ended 2-0 in 2000). If one-off games are counted, England (1-0 in Golden Jubilee Test, 1979/80) and Pakistan (Asian Championship, 1999) have recorded wins.
Big HOME defeats in a Test series for India: 0-3 (5) to West Indies 1958/59; 0-3 (6) to West Indies 1983/84. However, New Zealand 0-3 (3) became the first visiting side to whitewash the home side, India.#IndvNZ #IndvsNZ
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 3, 2024
Across 89 home series, India have only endured defeats in 18 series. New Zealand became only the third side to win a Test series in India since 2001, also a first since England’s 2-1 series win in 2012.
New Zealand bowled India out for 121 to seal a 25-run win in the third and final test in Mumbai on Sunday and complete a famous 3-0 series sweep. Chasing 147 for victory, India capitulated on a tricky pitch at the Wankhede Stadium to be blanked in dramatic fashion. Ajaz Patel took 6-57 for the tourists, who secured their maiden series win in India going back to 1955 and also snapped the hosts’ home streak of 18 straight series triumphs.
“This is the greatest Test series win in New Zealand’s history,” summed up Simon Doull on air. “They have to pick themselves up (ahead of Australia), this has been a drubbing,” added former India coach Ravi Shastri. A new low for India at home, indeed.
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