In the third match of the three-Test series between India and New Zealand, the Kiwis not only defeated Team India to claim the series but, for the first time in Indian Test cricket history, also whitewashed India on home soil.
Indian Batting Fails
India’s biggest weakness in this Test series was their batting. Once considered the best in the world at handling spin bowlers, Indian batsmen struggled against spin throughout the series, with the majority of their wickets falling to spinners.
In this series, Rishabh Pant scored the most runs for India with 261 runs at an average of 43.5. Among the top-order batsmen, captain Rohit Sharma scored only 91 runs across six innings at an average of approximately 15.
While Virat Kohli scored 93 runs at an average of 15.5 across six innings. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal managed 190 runs across six innings at an average of 31.6.
BCCI May Make a Major Decision
According to BCCI sources, after the loss in the third Test in Mumbai, the Board may take a significant decision regarding the future of senior players – captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin – in Test cricket during the upcoming five-Test series on the Australia tour.
New Zealand’s All-Round Performance
Compared to the Indian batsmen, New Zealand displayed an all-round performance throughout the series. Young New Zealand batsman Rachin Ravindra scored 256 runs across six innings, while Will Young scored 244 runs in six innings.
Additionally, three of the top five wicket-takers in the series were from New Zealand. Ajaz Patel took 15 wickets in five innings, Mitchell Santner claimed 13, and Matt Henry took 10 wickets.
Ajaz’s Spin Trounces Indian Batsmen at Wankhede
New Zealand’s spinner Ajaz Patel’s performance at Wankhede Stadium was highly impressive. Across two matches played at this venue, Ajaz took a total of 25 wickets.
In the third match of this series, he picked up 11 wickets across both innings. Notably, back in 2021, Ajaz made a unique record at this very stadium by dismissing all 10 Indian batsmen in a single innings.
