New Zealand achieved the unprecedented, handing India their first-ever 3-0 whitewash on home soil in a Test series. With a collective bowling masterclass, spearheaded by Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips, they defended a modest target of 146 to seal a remarkable 25-run victory despite Rishabh Pant’s heroic 64 off 57 balls in the final innings.
Match Highlights
- New Zealand 1st Innings: 235 (Mitchell 82, Young 71; Jadeja 5-65, Washington 4-81)
- India 1st Innings: 263 (Gill 90, Pant 60; Ajaz 5-103)
- New Zealand 2nd Innings: 174 (Young 51; Jadeja 5-55, Ashwin 3-63)
- India 2nd Innings: 121 (Pant 64; Ajaz 6-57, Phillips 3-42)
Result: New Zealand won by 25 runs.
Pant’s Magnificent Resistance
Rishabh Pant produced an audacious knock under treacherous batting conditions, keeping India’s hopes alive with his quickfire 64. His ability to manipulate the field and find boundaries despite the variable pace and turn made him nearly unplayable. Using innovative sweeps, reverse sweeps, and powerful lofted shots, Pant left the New Zealand bowlers scrambling for answers, maintaining an impressive 84% control rate at lunch.
However, a contentious DRS decision shifted the momentum. In the second over after lunch, a New Zealand review overturned a not-out decision on a bat-pad catch off Ajaz Patel, leaving Pant visibly frustrated. This dismissal proved to be the turning point in India’s chase.
Ajaz Patel: The Architect of Victory
Ajaz Patel, born in Mumbai but representing New Zealand, delivered a sensational performance, taking 11 wickets in the match. His six-wicket haul in the second innings broke the back of India’s batting lineup.
Ajaz’s control and precision were unmatched. By maintaining a perfect length that forced Indian batters to defend tentatively, he exploited the conditions brilliantly. Ajaz’s 167 balls against the rest of the Indian batting lineup resulted in nine wickets for just 112 runs, cementing his place as one of the most successful visiting spinners in India.
Even Pant, who hammered him for 75 runs off just 41 balls, couldn’t completely escape his dominance as Ajaz eventually claimed his crucial wicket.
Glenn Phillips: The Surprise Package
Phillips, typically known as a part-time bowler, exceeded expectations as New Zealand’s second spinner. He claimed three critical wickets in the second innings, including the dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Akash Deep.
Phillips bowled with discipline, offering no easy scoring opportunities. His ability to exploit the turn and bounce on offer perfectly complemented Ajaz Patel’s efforts.
Controversial DRS Decision
India’s frustration peaked with a pivotal DRS decision against Pant. After being given not out for a bat-pad catch, the third umpire reversed the decision following a New Zealand review, citing UltraEdge murmurs and possible deflection. The decision appeared marginal and left the Indian team visibly dissatisfied.
A Collective Bowling Effort
Apart from Ajaz and Phillips, Matt Henry and Daryl Mitchell played crucial roles in dismantling India’s top order.
- Rohit Sharma fell to an ambitious pull shot off Henry while trying to capitalize on a freshly rolled pitch.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal was trapped lbw by Phillips, unable to handle the sharp turn.
- Virat Kohli edged to slip after being forced into a defensive shot by Ajaz.
Jadeja, who earlier completed a 10-wicket haul in the match, offered resistance but eventually succumbed to a sharp-turning delivery from Ajaz.
A Historic Achievement
This series will go down in cricketing history as a monumental moment for New Zealand cricket. By whitewashing India in India, a feat previously thought impossible, New Zealand has firmly established themselves as a dominant force in Test cricket.
For India, the series was a wake-up call, exposing flaws in their batting and over-reliance on individual brilliance. Meanwhile, Ajaz Patel’s match-winning performance and Glenn Phillips’ unexpected heroics will be remembered as the highlights of this unforgettable series.
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