New Zealand created history as they white-washed India for the first time in Test history in their own backyard. New Zealand won the third and final Test in Mumbai by 25 runs on Sunday, November 3, 2024, to achieve the unthinkable.
New Zealand resumed their second innings at 171/9 and were bowled out for 174 runs. Ravindra Jadeja excelled with 5/55 to complete a 10-wicket total, while R Ashwin claimed three wickets.
However, the Indian batting crumbled in their chase from the beginning. Rohit Sharma was out for 11 runs by Matt Henry, and the rest of the batters were not good enough against Kiwi spinners. Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips spun out Yashasvi Jaiswal (5), Virat Kohli (1), Shubman Gil (1), Sarfaraz Khan (1), and Ravindra Jadeja (6).
At 29/5, Rishabh Pant took over and counterattacked the New Zealand spinners, scoring quickly. He scored 62 in 57 balls, with nine fours and one six. It appeared that Pant would single-handedly lead India over the finishing line.
However, Ajaz Patel dismissed Pant in a contentious decision by the TV umpire, and the rest of the batters folded soon enough as India was bowled out for 121 runs.
New Zealand won the third Test by 25 runs, completing an astonishing and historic white-wash of India in their own home. Ajaz Patel starred with 6 wickets in the second innings and 11 for the match.
With this loss, India slipped to second spot in the WTC 2025 rankings and will now need to win atleast 4 Tests in the upcoming away series against Australia to remain in contention for WTC 2025 final.
The cricket fraternity was overjoyed at New Zealand’s amazing achievement, considering that before this series, they had won only 3 Tests in India. New Zealand was wholeheartedly praised on social media.
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