3 reasons why 3-0 whitewash against New Zealand in 2024 Tests is the lowest point in India's cricket history
Indian cricket has seen several highs and lows over the last few decades. While the 1983 World Cup win gave the country the belief to beat any top-class opposition, it has been a roller-coaster ride from there on. The 2007 and the 2011 World Cup wins also find a special chapter in Indian cricketing history.
After a 13-year ICC trophy drought, India managed to lift the T20 World Cup earlier this year. There was a prevalent belief that the side could get on a roll and keep winning ICC tournaments. The next two big competitions on their minds were the the ICC Champions Trophy and the ICC World Test Championship.
Before the start of the New Zealand Test series, it looked like a formality for India to go through to the WTC final. A 3-0 series win was always in the minds of the Indian team, but what transpired in the last month was something the hosts would never have imagined.
The top and middle order looked brittle all through the series, and the lack of confidence going into the tour Down Under won't serve India well. A series whitewash at home is something no team will be proud of - certainly not India, who came into the rubber having won 18 consecutive home assignments.
This will certainly go down as one of the lowest points in Indian cricket history. Here are three reasons to support the statement:
#1. This was India's first Test series whitewash at home in a series of three or more matches
What New Zealand did against India will go down in their history as arguably their greatest achievement. The Indian fortress was last breached by England back in 2012.
Since then, India won 18 consecutive series and came into this one as the overwhelming favorites. Not many would have given New Zealand a chance, but they had the belief and came to the tour with a plan.
The Black Caps rewrote the history books, becoming the first team to whitewash India in their backyard in a series of three or more Tests. India played their first Test way back in 1932, which clearly suggests that this could be the lowest point in the country's Test history.
#2. India lost to a New Zealand side which came into the series after losing 2-0 in Sri Lanka
New Zealand were blown away by Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series prior to the three-match rubber against India. However, they believed in their abilities and turned it around dramatically in India.
New Zealand would have expected similar conditions to Sri Lanka, and not many gave them a chance of competing after witnessing that result. However, the first Test gave them the confidence to bowl India cheaply, and then the batters had a field day throughout.
Buoyed by newfound confidence, New Zealand didn't have to look back in the next two Tests. India produced turners in Pune and Wankhede, which eventually backfired for them and worked in the away side's favor.
While Mitchell Santner ran havoc in the second Test, Ajaz Patel continued his dream run at the Wankhede. Losing to an outfit that hadn't won a single away series in WTC history should serve as a reminder of how significant the magnitude of this defeat is.
#3. The best two batters misfired big-time
The best batters in the side not performing in a home Test series is generally a rare sight. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had a series to forget, with the two stalwarts lacking the ability and grit to score big runs on tough wickets.
Rohit Sharma was consistently troubled by the pacers against the new ball and didn't even get to the spin challenge often. He looked totally out of sorts and scored just 91 runs in six innings. Kohli scored just two runs more than Rohit in the series and appeared out of his depth against spin.
Seeing batters of the stature of Rohit and Kohli struggle to that extent was a humbling sight for Indian fans. It was a reflection of the way the team has been handled in recent times, with a refusal to ask the right questions characterizing their performances.
With a transition phase looming large, India might face some tough hurdles going forward in their Test journey. They need to make some bold calls and ensure that they get their dominance back, especially in home Tests.