Rishabh Pant’s resistance goes in vain as New Zealand inflicts an unprecedented 3-0 humiliation on Team India in Wankhede

New Zealand registered a landmark 3-0 series in India and capped it with a 25-run win on a treacherous Wankhede Stadium track in Mumbai on Sunday. The Black Caps defeated India for 121 on day three of the third Test, with spinner Ajaz Patel’s 6-57 proving decisive as he took his second five-wicket haul of the match.

This is the first time India have been swept at home since a 2-0 defeat to South Africa in 2000, putting pressure on Rohit Sharma’s side as they prepare for the upcoming five-match series against Australia Down Under.

Rishabh Pant was the only Indian batsman to resist, making a determined 64 after India were rattled early and reduced to 29/5 on a pitch that turned right from the start. Patel, ruthless throughout, took advantage of the conditions to remove both Sharma (11) and Shubman Gill (1) within two overs, with Gill departing after misjudging a delivery that clattered against his stumps.

Patel’s magic continued as he sent Virat Kohli back to the pavilion for just one, with the Indian captain about to miss a catch.

The early collapse stunned the crowd, who watched as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan followed suit, succumbing for five and one respectively as New Zealand’s bowlers dominated India’s top order. A 42-run stand between Pant and Ravindra Jadeja offered some stability but a brilliant catch from Will Young ended Jadeja’s resistance at 71-6, leaving India’s hopes in tatters.

Pant’s departure after lunch, following a review by New Zealand, effectively ended the chase as India’s lower order struggled to add runs against a probing Black Caps attack.

Historic victory for Kiwis

New Zealand had earlier resumed their innings at 171-9 but lost Ajaz Patel in the morning to Jadeja, who finished with 5-55 and a remarkable ten-wicket match.

The series win was historic for New Zealand and marked their first Test series win in India, dating back to their first tour in 1955. It also broke India’s formidable run of 18 consecutive home series wins since their 2012 loss against England.

After clinching the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets and ending the second in Pune with a 113-run win, the Black Caps’ performance ranks as a milestone in their cricketing history.