India have never been whitewashed at home in a Test series of three or more matches. The visiting New Zealand made that history by defeating them by 25 runs in the third Test of the series at Wankhede. The Indian team has been whitewashed in Tests before. It was a two-match Test series. South Africa beat them 2-0 in the Test series in 1999-2000.
The way India finished the second day, they hoped to avoid a whitewash. Because the Kiwis' batting line-up can collapse before giving a big target. But the target of 147 runs on a spin-friendly wicket seemed like a mountain! India were bowled out for 121 runs in the second session.
New Zealand, who started the day with 171 for 9, could only add four more runs. The second innings was all out for 174 runs.
India's innings was lost due to the spin attack of the Kiwis with a target of only 147 runs. Before lunch called Dhas. Lost 5 wickets for 29 runs. Then Rishabh Pant tried to stand in the way of the victory of the Kiwis. He picked up a fifty playing at a fast pace before lunch. He added 42 runs with Ravindra Jadeja for the sixth wicket. The pair broke up when Jadeja returned before lunch. Pant continued to play against the Kiwis despite that. Washington added 35 runs with Sundar. Patel broke Pant's resistance after crossing hundred runs. India's wicketkeeper batsman was gloved for 64 runs from 57 balls before returning.
Even from the ruins, Ravichandran Ashwin-Washington Sundar was giving hope. But the hosts' resistance started to weaken as Ashwin was gloved by Phillips for the team's 121 runs. Phillips hit a pair in the same over. Akash bowled Deep on the next ball, ending India's hopes of a comeback. India's second innings ended on 121 runs in 29.1 overs when Patel bowled Washington Sundar first ball in the next over.
Man of the match Ajaz Patel with 5 wickets for 103 runs and 6 wickets for 57 runs in two innings. Will Young scored a series best 244 runs.
Brief Score: New Zealand 235 (Mitchell 82, Young 71; Jadeja 65/5, Sundar 4/81) and 174 (Young 51; Jadeja 5/55, Ashwin 3/63)
Result: New Zealand won by 25 runs
India 263 (Gill 90, Pant 60; Patel 5/103) and 121 (Pant 64; Patel 6/57, Phillips 3/42)
