New Zealand Achieves Historic Test Series Whitewash in Mumbai

The Black Caps have created history in Mumbai, sealing a Test series whitewash over India after successfully defending a 147-run target at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

New Zealand clinched a memorable victory over India by 25 runs on the third day of the final Test in Mumbai, sealing a historic 3-0 series whitewash.

This marks the first time India has been swept in a series of three or more matches on home soil.

India’s hopes hinged on Rishabh Pant (64), whose aggressive knock kept the hosts in the chase after lunch, needing just 55 runs with four wickets in hand. However, Ajaz Patel dealt a critical blow by dismissing Pant in a decision that sparked controversy. Initially, umpire Richard Illingworth ruled Pant not out, but New Zealand’s review using UltraEdge detected a faint noise. The third umpire, Paul Reiffel, reversed the on-field decision, ruling Pant out, despite questions about whether the sound came from an edge or bat on pad. This decision left Pant stunned and proved to be the turning point.

After Pant’s departure, the outcome seemed inevitable, with Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin left to battle on a challenging pitch. Ashwin attempted a reverse sweep off Glenn Phillips but was dismissed, and Phillips then bowled Akash Deep on the next delivery. New Zealand’s triumph was fittingly completed when Ajaz Patel bowled Sundar as he attempted a slog sweep, sealing the series and cementing New Zealand’s place in history with a remarkable whitewash.