India suffered a shocking 0-3 defeat in a three-match Test series against New Zealand at home. This is also the first time in history that any visiting team has whitewashed India in India. Chasing a target of 147 runs on day 3, India were bowled out for just 121 runs as New Zealand scripted history at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 3. It was a big setback for India ahead of their upcoming tour to Australia and their chances to qualify for the World Test Championship final are now also at stake.
New Zealand finally had a great time on their tour to India as Kiwis scripted history with 3-0 clean sweep in the Test series. However, despite being a strongest side at home, India failed to dominate New Zealand even when they were playing without some of their key players. In the following listicle, we will have a look at the three reasons, why India suffered a 0-3 clean sweep at home.
3 Reasons why India lost the Test series against New Zealand
Batting failures against spinners
One of the major reasons for India’s 0-3 defeat in the Test series is their batters’ struggles to play spin. Indian batters failed terribly against New Zealand spinners including the likes of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel. The hosts couldn’t play spin well throughout the series and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Dependency on middle-order
The Indian top order wasn’t at their best in the Test series against New Zealand. The opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal failed to give a good start and dominate the New Zealand bowlers. Apart from that Shubman Gill, Virat Kohl also couldn’t play a big knock to take India ahead of New Zealand in the series. Most of India’s batting was dependent on the middle-order in the recently ended Test series against New Zealand.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to deliver
Two of India’s most crucial batters, captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli didn’t have a great time in the three Test matches against New Zealand. Although, both the batters have one half-century each, but apart from that, none of them could play an impactful knock in the series.