The third and final Test match of the series between New Zealand and India at Wankhede stadium also got over with New Zealand emerging victorious by 25 runs taking the series 3-0.
“New Zealand’s first-ever Test series whitewash in India is a testament to their adaptability and preparation on subcontinental pitches.”
Key Highlights
- Result: New Zealand wins by 25 runs, sweeping the series 3-0
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Top Performer: Ajaz Patel’s impressive spell dismantling India’s lower order
It was Ajaz Patel’s day with the ball and he clean bowled the Indian lower order thus seeing off his side’s series with a 3-0 whitewash of India.
Australia was set 147 to win at Vadodara to level the five-match series at 1-1 but the Indian team could not handle the pressure built up and Patel’s spin helped New Zealand secure their first-ever Test series whitewash in India.
Related Article : Santner Leads New Zealand to Historic Test Series Win Over India
India’s Batting Dilemmas and Pant’s Silhouette
As expected, the Indian side was off to a terrible start losing their premium players in quick succession.
The top-order batting dream of India crumbled as early as the company’s leading, Rohit Sharma 11, Shubman Gill 1, and Virat Kohli 1.
Ajaz Patel pegged back Kohli and Gill with his spin and Matt Henry got rid of Rohit to make it even more interesting for the hosts.
The last recognized pair of the Indian team was troubled, and then young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant unleashed his aggressive batting spree and scored a destructive 64, giving India a fighting chance.
However, dependency on his efforts turned out to be ineffective because he lacked support from the other end.
Pant managed to take India to Lunch still the target chaseable. India was only 55 runs in front with four wickets in hand at one stage, but New Zealand regained control in the second session.
Patel came back into the attack at the same aggression, cleaning up the lower order Indian batsman to prevent any onslaught and shape victory for New Zealand.
Ajaz Patel Stands Out as New Zealand Wins
Ajaz Patel was the architect of New Zealand’s mega collapse and was brilliantly supported by the spinner who was spot-on with his line and length on a spinner-friendly pitch.
His organized ousting of Kohli and Gill at the outset of his spell was meaningful and his control destroyed India’s neural youths.
The power-packed performance also made sure of the Test outcome besides registering a specialty, New Zealand becoming the first to whitewash India in a Test series on Indian soil.
A Series to Forget for India
It also reaffirmed India’s problem with batting on a spin track, which saw the seniors fold against New Zealand’s technical bowling.
The Indian top-order proved unsuccessful in building a partnership, which are bigger issues for the team in case of the tournament, especially in front of the Border-Gavakar Trophy.
The only consolation for Ravindra Jadeja, who took five wickets, was that he bowled brilliantly to contain New Zealand’s powerful lineup.
New Zealanders will remember New Zealand’s memorable 3-0 win as he lauded the team for their great performance in subcontinental conditions and urged other teams to raise the bar.
References:
NDTVSports.com
mykhel.com
