New Zealand defied the odds and handed India a stunning 3-0 whitewash on their own soil—a rare feat in a three-match Test series or more. The Kiwis, led by Ajaz Patel’s brilliant bowling and Glenn Phillips’ steady support, defended a challenging target of 146 runs in the final Test, outlasting a gritty 64 off 57 balls from India’s firebrand, Rishabh Pant. Ajaz finished the series with 11 wickets, setting a record as the most successful visiting bowler on Indian turf in a single match.
India, apart from struggling with the bat, also grappled with a controversial DRS decision. With the momentum firmly with Pant, who had been finding boundaries and singles with ease, New Zealand’s review overruled the on-field call after a bat-pad appeal against Pant. Initially judged not-out, the UltraEdge technology indicated a murmur that appeared to convince the third umpire, Paul Reiffel, to reverse the decision. The call disrupted India’s rhythm just as Pant was crafting a potentially match-winning innings.
Ajaz Patel, who hails from Mumbai and famously claimed all ten wickets on his last tour of India, entered this match on a quiet note but transformed the game in the second innings. Pant’s audacious efforts to keep India in the hunt showcased his remarkable ability to manipulate the field, sweeping and swiveling to evade even New Zealand’s tight boundaries. However, Pant’s brilliance couldn’t overcome Ajaz’s relentless pressure. Pant, targeting boundaries, managed a remarkable 84% control rate before lunch—a testament to his genius in treacherous conditions.
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New Zealand’s steady discipline reaped rewards as Ajaz kept India’s top order under his spell. Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja all fell to the slow but persistent trickery of Ajaz and Phillips. Gill misjudged an unturned ball that clipped his off stump, while Kohli and Jadeja were undone by deft spin, with Mitchell taking a sharp catch to dismiss Kohli.
Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips also struck early blows to dismantle India’s batting line-up. Rohit Sharma, in particular, tried to accelerate but fell to Phillips’ deceptive delivery. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s cautious defense resulted in an edge, further consolidating New Zealand’s control.
Pant continued to attack and seemed India’s last hope, fearlessly reverse-sweeping, lofting sixes, and finding gaps until New Zealand’s fielders finally clinched his dismissal with a desperate review. From there, Tom Blundell added to the pressure with an acrobatic catch off R. Ashwin, and Phillips took care of the tail, bowling Akash Deep through the gate before Ajaz wrapped things up with Washington Sundar’s mistimed slog.
In a series of tense battles and brave performances, New Zealand’s historic sweep was a testament to tactical discipline, patience, and a masterful effort by Ajaz Patel that etched their victory into the annals of Test cricket.