MUMBAI, India: New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel led his team to a historic 3-0 Test series sweep against India, securing a thrilling 25-run victory in the third Test at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
This win marks New Zealand’s first-ever Test series victory on Indian soil and the first time India has been whitewashed in a home Test series since 1999-2000.
Chasing a target of 147 runs, India struggled significantly, bowled out for just 121 in 29.1 overs. Rishabh Pant’s valiant innings of 64 provided some resistance, but the Indian batting lineup faltered against a relentless New Zealand attack. Ajaz Patel’s impressive bowling performance saw him claim six wickets in this match, culminating in a total of 11 wickets for the match. His final wicket of Washington Sundar, bowled out for 12, sparked jubilant celebrations among the Black Caps.
Ajaz’s achievement is underscored by his prior success at the same venue, where he made history by taking all 10 wickets in a single Test innings in 2021. The series concluded with India’s top order struggling, highlighted by key dismissals including that of Virat Kohli, who has had a disappointing series with limited scores.
This historic series win not only underscores New Zealand’s growing prowess in Test cricket but also sets the stage for future encounters between the two teams, as they continue to develop their competitive rivalry in the sport.
