New Zealand Sweeps India 3-0 in Historic Test Series

New Zealand clinched a historic 3-0 series sweep over India with a thrilling 25-run victory on the third day of the final Test at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. This marks India’s first clean-sweep loss at home since a 2-0 defeat by South Africa in 2000 and their first ever in a series of three or more Tests. It’s also New Zealand’s maiden Test series win on Indian soil where they had previously gone 36 years without a single Test victory until their opening win in Bengaluru.

Daryl Mitchell, who scored a crucial 82 in the first innings, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishment, noting how special it was to win a series in India, especially against a top-tier team. “We’re just a bunch of Kiwis taking on the world,” he said. India’s chase of 147 got off to a disastrous start with the team stumbling to 29-5 in the face of formidable bowling by Ajaz Patel, who finished with 6-57.

Rishabh Pant offered a glimmer of hope with a quick-fire 64 but was dismissed shortly after lunch, a decision overturned by the TV umpire upon review which confirmed the ball had grazed his bat before being caught by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. Pant’s dismissal left India at 106-7 and the final three wickets fell swiftly, ending India’s innings at 121.

Ajaz Patel’s efforts earned him match figures of 11-160 while Ravindra Jadeja’s 5-55 contributed to his own match haul of 10-120. New Zealand had started the day at 171-9, adding just three runs before Jadeja claimed the final wicket. The victory keeps New Zealand in the hunt for a spot in the World Test Championship final in June while significantly diminishing India’s chances of reaching the final for a third consecutive time.