New Zealand clinched an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series after winning the Pune Test. The Kiwi team had already taken the first match in Bengaluru by eight wickets. Hopes were high for a comeback from the Indian team, but under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, they failed to do so, caught in their own web. In the first match, the Indian team collapsed against the Kiwi pacers, while in the second Test, the spinners silenced the Indian batsmen. Chasing a target of 359 in Pune, India was bowled out for 245 in their second innings, thereby conceding the series.
India loses a Test series at home after 12 years
The Indian team lost a home Test series for the first time in 12 years, breaking a streak of 17 consecutive home series wins. The last time India lost a Test series at home was in 2012-13, when England won the four-match series 2-1. After that, India went on to win 18 straight home series. However, New Zealand ended this streak, surprising many with their dominant performance on Indian soil. With the first Test win, New Zealand won a Test match in India for the first time in 36 years. Now, they have also clinched their first-ever Test series in India. Since the first Test between the two countries in 1955, this marks the first time New Zealand has won a Test series on Indian soil.
Also Read- IND vs AUS, BGT 2024: Steve Smith to Bat at Number 4, Travis Head to Open
India suffers back-to-back Test defeats
India has lost two consecutive home Tests, marking the first time since 2012 they have suffered such back-to-back defeats at home. In 2012, England defeated India in the four-match series, winning the second Test in Wankhede and the third in Eden Gardens. Since 2000, this is only the third time in 25 years that India has lost two consecutive home Tests. Before New Zealand and England, South Africa achieved this in 2000, defeating India 2-0 in a two-match series with wins in Wankhede and Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Also Read- IND-A vs AFG-A: Afghanistan Reaches Emerging Asia Cup Final for the First Time by Defeating India
Match Summary
In the match, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first, scoring 259 in their first innings. In response, India was bowled out for 156, giving New Zealand a 103-run lead. New Zealand scored 255 in their second innings, setting a total target of 359 for India. Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for India with 77, while Ravindra Jadeja contributed 42. No other batsman managed to score over 25. Rohit Sharma scored 8, Shubman Gill 23, Virat Kohli 17, Rishabh Pant was out for a duck, Washington Sundar scored 21, and Sarfaraz Khan made 9 runs. For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner took seven wickets in the first innings and six in the second.