5 unwanted records created by India in embarrassing loss to New Zealand in 3rd Test 2024
In a stunning turn of events, India’s nightmare series against New Zealand ended disappointingly as the hosts lost the third Test by 25 runs.
Throughout the series, one of the world’s top Test team were dismantled, appearing vulnerable as New Zealand swept them 3-0 on their home soil. The result has left Rohit Sharma’s squad shaken and demoralized, especially with a crucial tour of Australia coming up in no time.
When New Zealand arrived in India, they were coming off a 2-0 Test series loss in Sri Lanka, leaving little indication of the storm they would unleash. Yet, by the end of the series, Team India’s invincible and dominant run at home came crashing.
Long-held beliefs were questioned, and players and fans were left to confront a stark reality. After a tough loss in the first Test in Bengaluru, India struggled to bounce back, losing the second Test in Pune to concede the series.
Their final chance to salvage pride and gain an important win came in Mumbai, but a narrow 25-run loss meant that India suffered a 3-0 whitewash, marking an unexpected and shocking defeat in a home Test series.
That said, here are five unwanted records created by India in their loss to New Zealand in the third and final Test of the series.
#5 First home Test series loss against New Zealand
Before the series, New Zealand had never won a Test rubber in India. With their win in the opening Test, they took a 1-0 lead, making a confident start.
They backed it up with a massive 113-run win in the Pune Test, meaning the hosts conceded the series 0-2. This is the first instance where India suffered a home Test series defeat against New Zealand.
Moreover, India lost the final Test as well, making it one of their worst home Test series defeats ever.
#4 First home Test series 3-0 whitewash
No team have managed to whitewash India in a Test series of three or more games on Indian soil.
New Zealand had won the first two games and had the opportunity to create history, which they did by winning the third Test in Mumbai, thus handing India a whitewash.
The hosts had lost to South Africa 0-2 in 2000 but it was a two-match series. After that series defeat in 2000, this is the first time in 24 years that India suffered a Test series whitewash at home.
#3 Most ducks in a Test series of three games or more
India's batters had a nightmare of a series as they struggled to get the better of New Zealand's bowlers. The batting is certainly an issue of large concern given the performance in this series.
In all three Tests combined, as many as 14 Indian batters failed to get off the mark, walking back to the hut without troubling the scorers. This is the most number of ducks for India in a Test series of three games or more, playing at home or away.
#2 First instance of losing three straight Tests at home since 1976
India have been a dominant side at home in Test cricket for a long time. However, New Zealand ended the Men in Blue's dominance and handed them a thorough hammering by winning all three Tests in the series.
The last time India lost three straight Tests at home was in 1976 when England beat them in three Tests. New Zealand repeated the feat nearly 50 years later as they clinched a historic 3-0 series victory.
#1 Most home Test defeats in a calendar year
2024 has been a surprisingly difficult year for India in Test cricket at home. They lost one Test in the home series against England earlier this year. However, things got worse with their 0-3 series debacle against New Zealand.
As a result of this 0-3 series whitewash at home, India have now lost four home Tests in a calendar year, which is the most defeats in a single year at home for the hosts in their Test cricket history.