New Zealand achieved the improbable by sweeping India 3-0 in a historic home series

New Zealand achieved the improbable by sweeping India 3-0 in a historic home series, delivering India's first-ever series whitewash on home soil in a three-match or longer Test series. Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips took nine wickets together, defending a modest target of 146, even as Rishabh Pant's heroic 64 off 57 balls nearly turned the game in India's favor.

New Zealand scored 235 (Mitchell 82, Young 71, Jadeja 5-65, Washington 4-81) and 174 (Young 51, Jadeja 5-55, Ashwin 3-63) against India's 263 (Gill 90, Pant 60, Ajaz 5-103) and 121 (Pant 64, Ajaz 6-57, Phillips 3-42), winning by a margin of 25 runs. Ajaz, who was born in Mumbai but represents New Zealand, excelled with an 11-wicket haul, making him the most successful foreign bowler at a single Indian venue.

Despite Pant’s spectacular resistance, India was held back by both their struggling batting lineup and a controversial DRS call that went against them. With Pant at the crease, India started strong after lunch, but the third umpire overturned an initial not-out decision on Pant, tipping the momentum back in New Zealand's favor. Patel’s relentless bowling—especially against batters other than Pant—proved too much for India, as he targeted consistent lengths and exploited the unpredictable bounce and spin of the pitch.

Phillips provided steady support as the secondary spinner, taking crucial early wickets. Pant’s audacious shot-making on a challenging surface displayed his skill, yet when his wicket fell, New Zealand capitalized, with Ajaz and Phillips completing the memorable win.

Pant, though, was playing a different game. His first thought was a boundary, then running, and then defence. He opened his account with a flat six back over Ajaz's head. That forced Ajaz to bowl quicker and shorter to him, getting India a set of two bye boundaries. His reverse-sweeping got rid of short fine leg, and benefitted him when he top-edged a sweep precisely there. After losing Jadeja, he found the boundary two times in the last two overs before lunch to bring up his fifty and leave India hopeful of a miracle. 

Post lunch, New Zealand sat back. Six singles in the first over. Two fours in the second. Then came the desperate review, which turned it around for New Zealand again. Tom Blundell found something to celebrate with a superb catch off the R Ashwin glove on the reverse-sweep. Phillips found a moment to celebrate all the hard work when he bowled Akash Deep through the gate. Fittingly, Ajaz ended it all as Washington Sundar tried to slog him with not many options left.