The third Test between India and New Zealand was a dramatic affair, ending with New Zealand pulling off an unprecedented series sweep in the Indian subcontinent. India looked well-positioned to clinch a morale-boosting win as long as Rishabh Pant was at the crease. However, his controversial dismissal, which stirred up plenty of debate, marked the start of a collapse that saw India’s batting line-up unravel rapidly.
With this remarkable 3-0 win, New Zealand became the first team in history to defeat India in all three matches of a Test series on Indian soil. India’s history in the 3-match Test series dates back to 1933-34 when they first played a series of this format against England during the British colonial period. That series ended in a 2-0 defeat for India.
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Since then, no team had managed to whitewash India in a 3-match home series—until New Zealand’s historic triumph. By sweeping India 3-0, New Zealand joined the ranks of England, Australia, and the West Indies, who have previously whitewashed India in series of three or more matches, though never in the subcontinent.
This is also New Zealand’s first instance of winning three Tests in a series, regardless of location, underscoring the historic nature of their achievement. In the match itself, India initially put up a competitive first-innings total of 263 runs after bowling New Zealand out for 235. This performance, along with the formidable efforts of spin maestros Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed eight wickets between them, had New Zealand reeling in their second innings, bowled out for just 174.
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Yet, the Indian batting line-up faltered under pressure in their second innings, failing to chase down the modest target as New Zealand’s bowlers capitalized on every opportunity.
New Zealand’s series win serves as a landmark achievement, cementing their growing dominance in international cricket, especially away from home. For India, this defeat marks a rare setback on home turf, with questions looming about their ability to hold ground against top-ranked teams in high-stakes series.
#TeamIndia came close to the target but it’s New Zealand who win the Third Test by 25 runs.
Scorecard – https://t.co/KNIvTEyxU7#INDvNZ | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/4BoVWm5HQP
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 3, 2024
New Zealand wrap up a remarkable Test series with a 3-0 whitewash over India following a thrilling win in Mumbai 👏 #WTC25 | 📝 #INDvNZ: https://t.co/XMfjP9Wm9s pic.twitter.com/vV9OwFnObv
— ICC (@ICC) November 3, 2024
No praise high enough for this achievement from NZ. Possibly the greatest moment in NZ Cricket history. They outplayed India in every department in the toughest place to come and win, and deserve all the accolades and respect. Well played @BLACKCAPS 👏🏻👏🏻 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/P26qa1oE89
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 3, 2024
Yeah why not @BLACKCAPS. Don’t win a single Test in India for 36 years and then casually whitewash them 3-0. One of the most remarkable results in Test cricket history #IndvNZ
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 3, 2024
To win in India is incredible but to deliver a clean sweep is remarkable … has to be the greatest ever Test series victory … India now have a group of Batters that struggle like most teams against Spin … #INDWvNZW
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 3, 2024
I cannot believe this. NZ were 15 to one. They have done it again. This entire team should move to India.
Their first 3-0 in a three-Test series. Against a team that hadn’t lost in 18 series.
What the hell were we watching here.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) November 3, 2024
Had a solid conversation with @iamyusufpathan bhai yesterday. He made a valid point about domestic cricket – we’re either playing on grassy pitches or flat tracks, but rarely on turning surfaces anymore. Plus, top players aren’t playing domestic cricket. This could hurt us in the…
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 3, 2024
Will @BLACKCAPS finally allow the NZ fans to celebrate @AjazP and his Mumbai achievements in NZ? Surely pick him as 13th man if you do want to play him vs England!!! @TheACCnz @SENZ_Radio
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) November 3, 2024
This is huge!!!! First time India have been whitewashed in a Test series of 3 matches or more at home.#INDvNZ #INDvsNZ
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) November 3, 2024
And just like that, India CANNOT afford to lose even a single Test in Australia to make 2025 WTC Final.
Good luck with that! #IndvNZ
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) November 3, 2024
Kohli should get an England PR and settle there for good. These Cricket & ad-shoot trips to India won’t last long.
Rohit should retire too.
No matter what they do at BGT, a whitewash at home is a stain on their careers.
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) November 3, 2024
New Zealand Cricket’s last four weeks have been absolutely phenomenal!!!@BLACKCAPS @WHITE_FERNS
— Sandipan Banerjee (@im_sandipan) November 3, 2024
Famous win for the Kiwis. pic.twitter.com/Rx24ZWLCIS
— Vipul (@Sporty_Baba) November 3, 2024
And with that, India got whitewashed for the first time at home 💔💔💔💔#INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/opS9ngElZ5
— Vinesh Prabhu (@vlp1994) November 3, 2024
🚨 INDIA SLIPS TO 2ND IN THE WTC POINTS TABLE…!!! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/aAhLGICarz
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 3, 2024
– Won the Test series in ENGLAND.
– White washed India in INDIA.CAPTAIN TOM LATHAM…!!!! 🥶 pic.twitter.com/rR5KdA2Xff
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 3, 2024
That all but ends India’s dominance and WTC final hope. Has been a terrific eye opener to the cracks that were always present in the batting.
Embarrasing. Shameful. We are a part of history now with this whitewash. Captain and coach need to take responsibility for this doom.
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) November 3, 2024
Amazing, amazing from New Zealand. Completely deserved 👏
Let nothing take credit away from what is one of the greatest ever Test series wins.#INDvsNZ
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) November 3, 2024
This is arguably the biggest upset ever in a Test series. Only Sri Lanka beating South Africa in South Africa in 2018-19 is in the same territory.
India need to bin their latest batting template.#INDvNZ
— Hemant Brar (@HemantBrar_) November 3, 2024
