New Zealand defeated India by 25 runs on day four of the third and final Test at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, securing a 3-0 series win. This marks the first time India has been whitewashed in a home series of three or more matches since 2000, when they lost 2-0 to South Africa.
The series started with New Zealand’s victory in Bengaluru by eight wickets, their first win in India in 36 years. They then extended their lead in Pune with a 113-run triumph.
India, needing 147 runs to avoid the sweep after dismissing New Zealand for 174 in the first session, struggled against spin. Ajaz Patel, who took a five-wicket haul in the first innings, led the attack with a match tally of 11 wickets. Fast bowler Matt Henry dismissed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for 11 in the third over, caught by Glenn Phillips at midwicket.
Mumbai-born Ajaz Patel then bowled Shubman Gill and removed Virat Kohli, caught by Daryl Mitchell at slip, leaving the home crowd in silence. Glenn Phillips trapped Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw for five, and Sarfaraz Khan followed two balls later, caught off Ajaz to reduce India to 29-5.
Rishabh Pant resisted with a brave 64 off 57 balls but was controversially dismissed. Ravichandran Ashwin and Akash Deep also fell in quick succession, with Ajaz cleaning up Washington Sundar to secure the win.
Earlier, contributions from Will Young (51), Glenn Phillips (26), Devon Conway (22), and Daryl Mitchell (21) helped New Zealand post a competitive total on a challenging pitch. For India, Ravindra Jadeja claimed 5-55, while Ravichandran Ashwin took 3-63.
