New Zealand gave India its first whitewash in a Test series of three or more at home as they defeated the Rohit Sharma-led side by 25 runs at the Wankhede Stadium. Congratulating New Zealand for this spectacular win, Vaughan wrote on Twitter, “Winning in India is incredible, but making a clean sweep is also remarkable… This is the biggest Test series win so far. “India now have a group of batsmen who struggle against spin like most teams.”
Half of Team India's batsmen collapsed on 29 runs.
India needed 147 runs to avoid defeat, but India's top order once again faltered, and soon half the team was out for just 29 runs. Rishabh Pant, regardless of the situation, hit explosive shots and completed his half-century in just 48 balls. He first made a partnership of 42 runs with Jadeja and then added 35 runs with Washington Sundar. However, Ajaz Patel stopped this attack and his ball hit the inside edge of Pant and went into the hands of the keeper. With this brilliant ball he completed his second five-wicket haul in the match.
“Extraordinary scenes were witnessed in Mumbai as India were beaten 3-0 by New Zealand, less than three weeks before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series,” cricket.com.au wrote on Twitter. Runs became scarce after Pant's departure and New Zealand soon demolished the rest of the lineup and whitewashed India in the series, the first time since South Africa's 2–0 win in 1999–2000.
Former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer said, “New Zealand cannot be praised enough for this achievement. Perhaps the greatest moment in New Zealand cricket history. They defeated India in every department and won, and they deserve all the praise and respect. Played brilliantly.” However, Jaffer criticized Pant's controversial dismissal and said, “I don't think it was decisive enough to overturn the field umpire's decision of not out.”
De Villiers congratulated the Kiwi team
Former South African batsman AB de Villiers also congratulated New Zealand for their historic Test series win, saying, “What an amazing Test series win! Congratulations New Zealand”. New Zealand's series win also broke India's streak of 18 consecutive series wins since losing 2-1 to England in 2012. Notably, for the first time India has been whitewashed in a series of three or more Test matches on home soil. On the other hand, New Zealand became the fourth team after England, Australia and West Indies to whitewash India in a series of 3 or more Test matches.
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