When was the last time India were whitewashed in a home Test series before New Zealand 2024?
Team India hit arguably the lowest point in their Test cricket history when they suffered a 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand. The Blackcaps completed the impossible with a 25-run win in the final Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 3.
The stunning result had Indian fans wondering when their side was last whitewashed in a home Test series. For that, we have to go back to the start of the century.
A strong South African unit led by Hansie Cronje toured India for two Tests in February-March 2000. The series opened in Mumbai with the two teams going toe to toe for most of the contest.
Winning the toss and batting first, India posted a below-par 225 in their first innings despite a brilliant 97 from Sachin Tendulkar. Yet, they fought back with the ball, bowling the Proteas out for a paltry 176 in their first essay.
However, even with a valuable lead of 49, India could not capitalize on the momentum and were bowled for an embarrassing 113 in their second innings, leaving the visitors a run-chase of 163.
The South African batters made heavy weather out of the chase before completing the task six-down to take a 1-0 series lead.
As disappointing as the first Test defeat was for Team India, their second Test display was even worse. Tendulkar's men were bowled out for only 158 in the first innings in Bengaluru against a disciplined South African attack.
The bowlers wilted under the relentless pressure against the stubborn South African batting to concede a mammoth 479. The hosts showed no fight yet again in their second essay to be bowled out for 250 despite a magnificent 102 from Mohammad Azharuddin.
It meant the Proteas completed an innings and 71-run victory to sweep the series 2-0.
While Tendulkar was the Player of the Match in the low-scoring first Test, left-arm spinner Nicky Boje won the award in the second Test.
Meanwhile, legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis was adjudged the Player of the Series for scoring 136 runs and picking up five wickets in the two Tests.
Team India hit rock bottom in the 2024 series whitewash to New Zealand
Team India's latest Test series whitewash to New Zealand was their first in a home series with three or more matches.
After losing the opener in a seamer-friendly track in Bengaluru, India was expected to bounce back and win the next two outings. Instead, they were incomprehensively outdone in their own game of packing the side with spinners and playing on turners.
The second Test in Pune saw left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner wreck India with an incredible 13 wickets. It left the hosts surrendering their first home Test series in over a decade with the last defeat coming against England in 2012-13.
Yet, Rohit Sharma's men were still expected to salvage lost pride with a consolation win in the final Test in Mumbai. Unfortunately, the New Zealand left-arm spinner parade continued with Ajaz Patel the wrecker on this occasion with 11 wickets.
Despite chasing only 147 for victory, Team India could manage only 121 in under 30 overs of batting to hit rock bottom in Tests.
The meek surrender meant India's chances of qualifying for a third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final took a massive hit. They will likely have to win the upcoming Test series by a 4-0 or better margin.
Furthermore, the New Zealand defeat spoilt what had been a great 2024 for India with home Test series wins over England and Bangladesh and the T20 World Cup title in the West Indies and the USA.