In a historic Test at home, India faced an unprecedented series outcome as New Zealand claimed a 25-run victory in the third and final Test match of the New Zealand Tour of India 2024, sealing a 3-0 whitewash—the first-ever by any visiting team against India on Indian soil.
The Kiwis won the toss and elected to bat, but their lineup faced early disruptions with Mitchell Santner sidelined due to a side strain and Ish Sodhi stepping in. Matt Henry returned, replacing Tim Southee, while India missed Jasprit Bumrah due to illness, bringing Mohammed Siraj into the lineup.
In the opening session, Indian pacers made their mark as Akash Deep trapped Devon Conway with an lbw. Tom Latham and Will Young responded with a steady partnership until Washington Sundar’s spin dismantled the visitors’ momentum, sending Latham and Rachin Ravindra back to the pavilion and reducing New Zealand from 59/1 to 72/3.
New Zealand regained ground in the second session with Daryl Mitchell‘s composed innings. His 87-run partnership with Young saw New Zealand’s batsmen apply pressure, leaving India in a tight spot. Young’s skilful 71 showed his class, but Ravindra Jadeja delivered a timely breakthrough, dismissing Young and Tom Blundell quickly. Jadeja’s double strike also marked a personal milestone, surpassing Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to break into India’s top five wicket-takers in Tests. By the close of the innings, Jadeja’s five-wicket haul, along with Sundar’s four wickets, restricted New Zealand to 235.
India’s reply started strong, with Yashasvi Jaiswal looking fine, but his dismissal on a misjudged sweep exposed the middle order. A questionable decision to send Siraj as a nightwatchman backfired as he fell on the first ball. Virat Kohli followed soon after with a run-out, and from a promising 78/1, India slumped to 84/4, ceding the advantage.
The innings, however, found stability with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant’s spirited 90-run partnership. Gill’s elegant 90 and Pant’s aggressive 60 brought India to a 28-run lead, while Sundar added an unbeaten 38. Ajaz Patel’s brilliance with the ball shone through as he claimed five wickets, taking his series tally to 19—the second-most by any visiting bowler at an Indian venue.
In New Zealand’s second innings, India struck early with Latham falling in the first over. Young’s fighting half-century (51) and useful runs from Conway and Mitchell were deterred by India’s spinners. The visitors were bundled out for 174, with Jadeja claiming another five-wicket haul, supported by Ravichandran Ashwin with three wickets. Sundar and Akash Deep chipped in with a wicket each.
India faced a challenging 146-run chase but stumbled, losing five wickets within eight overs. Rohit Sharma’s loose shot set the tone, followed by missteps from Gill, Kohli, Jaiswal, and Sarfaraz Khan, leaving India at 29/5. Pant counterattacked with a quickfire fifty, but Ajaz Patel struck the decisive blow by removing Pant, sealing New Zealand’s grip on the game. Sundar and Ashwin added resistance, but the end came swiftly with Patel and Glenn Phillips cleaning up the tail.
This Test set a unique record, marking the first time a left-arm spinner took five-wicket hauls in each of the four innings:
- 1st Innings: Jadeja 5/65
- 2nd Innings: Ajaz 5/103
- 3rd Innings: Jadeja 5/55
- 4th Innings: Ajaz 6/57
Ajaz Patel was awarded Player of the Match for his 11-wicket haul. Will Young, with an impressive 244 runs at an average of 48, received the Player of the Series title. New Zealand’s remarkable performance not only earned them a historic whitewash but also showcased their resilience and skill against formidable Indian conditions.
Scorecard:
New Zealand: 235/10, Overs 65.4, Daryl Mitchell 82, Ravindra Jadeja 5/65
India: 263/10, Overs 59.4, Shubman Gill 90, Ajaz Patel 5/103
New Zealand: 174-10, Overs 45.5, Will Young 51, Ravindra Jadeja 5/55
India: 121-10, Overs 29.1, Rishabh Pant 64, Ajaz Patel 6/57