History for New Zealand as India sink to an all-time low

New Zealand have become the first team to whitewash India in a three-match Test series at home. They completed the formalities in Mumbai with a 25-run victory. Tom Latham, in his first series as a full-time Blackcaps skipper, has won three Tests in India. New Zealand had previously won just two Tests in the country.

Hansie Cronje-led South Africa were the last team to clean sweep India - in 2000 - but that was a two-match Test series. In the Mumbai Test, India needed 55 runs more to win in the final session with four wickets in hand, but once Rishabh Pant was dismissed, the rest of the batters fell quickly, eventually succumbing to yet another defeat. 

New Zealand outclassed India in the first Test in Bengaluru, winning by eight wickets. The pacers did the damage in the first innings under overcast conditions. India skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that he had made a mistake by opting to bat first in such conditions, and consequently, India managed just 46 on the board — their lowest total in home Tests.

Spin played a dominant role for them in the second Test in Pune. Mitchell Santner picked up 13 wickets in the match as India slipped to a 113-run loss. That loss handed India their first series loss at home in 12 years.

There was nothing but pride to play for in the third Test and Mumbai. That and, of course, valuable World Test Championship (WTC) points.

To make the WTC final, India will now have to win FOUR out of five Tests against Australia Down Under. India have won their last two series in Australia by a 2-1 margin, but that may not be good enough this time around. 

The five-match Test series against Australia kick starts on November 22 in Perth.

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