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New Zealand achieved one of the most stunning series victories in Test history by completing an unprecedented whitewash of India.
New Zealand won the third Test in Mumbai by 25 runs, defending a target of just 147 thanks to spinners Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips, who shared nine wickets in the second innings. It was an incredible victory in that, despite winning the toss and batting first, they conceded a first innings deficit in conditions that suited the Indian spinners.
India had not lost a series at home since 2012, when England beat them 2-1 in a four-Test series. India had won their previous 18 Test series at home, comfortably the longest such streak in history, losing just four of their 53 matches in India during that period. It was the first time they had been whitewashed at home in a series of three or more matches.
It was also the first time New Zealand had won three matches in a Test series – they often play shorter series.
Their former seamer Mitchell McClenaghan called it “arguably their best series win ever”. There wasn’t much to discuss about it.
India’s run chase failure was also relevant from a statistical point of view. This was the second lowest target New Zealand had ever successfully defended, and the second lowest target India had failed to chase down in defeat. With Rishabh Pant (who made 64 off 57 balls while no other batsman reached 13) in the side, victory looked possible for India, but he fell to a controversial dismissal on the DRS, and India collapsed. Their last three wickets fell in four balls, without a run being added.
New Zealand’s victory in this series is all the more extraordinary as they were recently soundly beaten in Sri Lanka and the three victories took place on very contrasting terrains.
The first, in Bangalore, favored their seamers, who bowled out India for just 46 runs on the first day of the series, before the Pune and Mumbai pitches turned sharply. New Zealand’s spinners surged, with Mitchell Santner picking up 13 wickets in the second Test. He was then ruled out of the third Test due to a side strain, but Patel stepped up and took 11 wickets. It was a real team effort.
“It’s something you dream of, and to come here and achieve it, it’s pretty special against a world-class Indian team,” batsman Daryl Mitchell said. “We are just a group of Kiwis taking on the world and very proud to represent our country. We know how good India are – they have a number of world-class players – and for us it’s simply [about] hang in there, keep doing what Kiwis do, and yes, I’m very proud of this group today.
Both teams remain in contention for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June. India’s series against Australia and New Zealand’s home series against England later this month will go a long way in determining who makes the final. Sri Lanka, South Africa and Australia also remain in the running.
