New Zealand defeated India with a convincing 25-run victory in the third Test at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, completing a clean sweep of the series with a 3-0 win. This marks the first time India has ever been whitewashed at home in a three-match (or more) Test series in their history, making it a disappointing day for Indian cricket fans who witnessed this outcome.
The match highlighted player performances and exposed areas where India struggled, particularly showing vulnerabilities against spin. India’s typically strong batting lineup crumbled against spin in Mumbai, with only wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant emerging as a lone warrior, scoring 64 runs in the fourth innings. The team bundled out at the score of 121 runs in the last innings.
The collapse of India’s batting Lineup
On Day 3, New Zealand initially faced challenges but managed to set India a target of 147 runs, finishing their innings at 174. Will Young stood out, scoring 51 runs and providing crucial stability. India’s bowlers, particularly Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, put in significant effort to restrict New Zealand’s scoring, but the target still seemed within reach.
However, India’s chase soon faltered. The batting lineup collapsed under pressure, and despite some resistance from Rishabh Pant, who top-scored with 64 runs, India could only manage 121 before being bowled out. New Zealand’s spin duo of Ajaz Patel, and Glenn Phillips played a key role with taking 6 and 3 wickets respectively, dismantling India’s batting, taking important wickets at crucial moments.
Mitchell and young shine at Wankhede
On Day 1, New Zealand won the toss and began their innings with Daryl Mitchell playing a vital knock, scoring 82 runs to anchor the team’s total. Will Young provided solid support, contributing 71 runs, and their partnership helped New Zealand post a first-innings total of 235. India’s bowling attack, led by Ravindra Jadeja, was effective but inconsistent, with Jadeja taking 5 wickets for 65 runs.
In response, India’s batting lineup came under pressure early, losing captain Rohit Sharma for just 10 runs. However, Shubman Gill stepped up with a solid 90, while Rishabh Pant added 60 to the total. Despite their efforts, India managed to score only 263 runs, taking a narrow first-innings lead of 28 runs.
This match not only underscores New Zealand’s dominance in the series but also exposes India’s vulnerabilities—especially in handling spin, clutch situations, and batting under pressure. With this clean sweep, New Zealand has showcased their strength in Test cricket, while India will need to reassess and regroup as they prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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