Cricket

India's humiliating 0-3 whitewash at home against New Zealand has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former Indian cricketers have expressed their dismay and called for introspection.Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, and Harbhajan Singh have urged the team management to stop "needless experimentation" in the Test format and start playing on better pitches. They believe that the team's poor performance against spin is a major concern.Tendulkar highlighted the lack of match practice and poor shot selection as possible reasons for the debacle. He praised Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill for their fighting performances.Sehwag criticized the team's skill against spin and questioned the need for unnecessary experimentation in Test cricket. He congratulated New Zealand for their historic victory.Harbhajan Singh emphasized the need for better pitches, stating that turning tracks make every batsman look ordinary. He believes that teams don't need legendary spinners to take wickets on such surfaces.Irfan Pathan pointed out the lack of red-ball cricket for senior Indian batters as a contributing factor. He also raised concerns about the quality of domestic cricket pitches.Sanjay Manjrekar believes that India's long phase of rank turners is coming to an end.Overseas reactions included Michael Vaughan's observation that Indian batters now struggle against spin like most teams. Ian Bishop praised New Zealand's remarkable turnaround after their whitewash in Sri Lanka.Lasith Malinga hailed New Zealand's historic win, while Mitchell McClenaghan called it arguably their best ever. Mickey Arthur pointed out that India will have a point to prove in their upcoming tour of Australia.

India's humiliating 0-3 Test series defeat to New Zealand has sparked a wave of introspection and criticism, with former spinner Harbhajan Singh expressing his disappointment and pointing out the pitfalls of over-preparing spin-friendly pitches.Harbhajan, who played 103 Tests for India, believes that the pitches in the recent series were excessively spin-friendly, which backfired against the Kiwis. "The conditions here were offering a lot of turn—Gaddha khoda toh tha lekin gir khud gaaye (we dug a pit for others, but we ended up falling into it ourselves)," he quipped.The former spinner emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that both the captain and the team share responsibility for the defeat. He believes that while India aimed to create challenging conditions for New Zealand, the approach ultimately favored the visitors' bowling attack, particularly left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel.Patel's six wickets in the final Test sealed a thrilling 25-run win for New Zealand, dismantling India's batting lineup and securing the historic 3-0 sweep. Harbhajan believes that India could have won the series on standard pitches, potentially with a 2-0 or 2-1 margin."Test cricket means that a match should ideally go on for five days and the better team should emerge victorious. I think the conditions should not be tampered with too much. If you want to play good cricket, then you have to play on a good wicket," Harbhajan said.The series defeat has raised questions about India's pitch preparation strategy and the need for a more balanced approach. Harbhajan's comments highlight the importance of creating pitches that challenge both batsmen and bowlers, allowing for a fair contest and a more entertaining spectacle for fans.

New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series sweep of India has been hailed as a testament to their adaptability and aggressive approach. Captain Tom Latham, who led the charge, attributed the victory to the team's collective effort and willingness to take risks."We're very, very ecstatic," Latham said after the 25-run victory in Mumbai. "We spoke about it after each Test match. We were trying to back it up, and I guess to finally do it here in Mumbai, on a completely different surface, one that would challenge us certainly with bat and ball - yeah, we're pretty happy."Latham emphasized the importance of adapting to different conditions, a key factor in their success. "I think just being able to adapt to each ground [gives the most satisfaction]," he said.The all-round performance of the team was crucial, with fast bowlers and Rachin Ravindra setting the tone in Bengaluru, and Mitchell Santner's 13-wicket haul sealing the series in Pune."We wanted to come over here and try to fire a few shots... and I certainly think we've done that," Latham said. "We've been a little bit more aggressive with the bat, tried to be a little bit more proactive, and again, with the ball, we've tried to keep things simple, understand how India play a little bit, and just try to do our best."The Mumbai Test witnessed the emergence of Ajaz Patel as a match-winner. After struggling in previous innings, Patel bagged 11 wickets in the game, including a 10-wicket haul in the second innings."Spin bowling's a little bit about rhythm, and sometimes when you're in rhythm, it's about making the most of it," Patel said. "And when the conditions present themselves to you, you have to take it by the horns and really do something for your team."New Zealand's victory marks the first time a visiting team has beaten India in a home Test series of at least three games in 12 years. It is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and aggressive approach.

Shubman Gill's resilient 90 on Day 2 of the third Test against New Zealand propelled India to a first-innings lead, cementing his position as one of India's most prolific batters in the World Test Championship (WTC).Gill's innings was a beacon of stability amidst the fall of six wickets at the other end. His 146-ball knock, which narrowly missed out on a century, showcased his maturity and composure at the crease. In the process, Gill surpassed former India No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara's tally of 1,769 runs in the WTC, moving up to fourth place among Indian batters with 1,799 runs.Rohit Sharma remains atop the list with 2,674 runs, followed by Virat Kohli (2,426) and Rishabh Pant (1,933). Gill's rise to the top echelon of Indian batting is a testament to his consistent performances since inheriting the No. 3 position from Pujara in June 2023.Gill and Pant played pivotal roles in India's first-innings total of 263, with Pant's whirlwind 60 off 59 balls providing a much-needed release of pressure. Washington Sundar's valuable 38-run cameo at the end further boosted India's score.With the ball, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja put India in a commanding position heading into Day 3. Ashwin claimed three wickets, while Jadeja picked up four, reducing New Zealand to 171/9 at stumps.New Zealand's lead of 143 runs leaves the Test match poised for a thrilling finish on Day 3. India, desperate to avoid a three-Test series loss at home for the first time since 1983, will be looking to capitalize on their advantage and secure a crucial victory.

India's Test captain, Rohit Sharma, has hinted at the possibility of missing the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia due to personal reasons. The series opener against Australia is scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22.Rohit expressed uncertainty about his participation, stating, "Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed." If he is unable to make it, Jasprit Bumrah, the vice-captain, will lead the team in the first Test.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has gained added significance as both India and Australia aim to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). India's recent 3-0 Test series loss to New Zealand at home has put pressure on the team to perform well in Australia.Rohit acknowledged the need to recover from the defeats and focus on the upcoming tour. "We will focus on (upcoming) Australia series, and not look too far ahead," he said.After the first Test in Perth, which concludes on November 26, there will be a 10-day break before the Adelaide game, which starts on December 6. During this break, India will play a two-day warm-up match in Canberra.Rohit's absence, if confirmed, would be a significant blow to India's chances in the series. The team will be hoping that he recovers in time to lead them in the crucial opening Test.

New Zealand has etched its name in cricket history by becoming the first team to inflict a humiliating 3-0 whitewash on India on home soil. The Kiwis' triumph at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday marked a watershed moment in the annals of Test cricket.This unprecedented victory is a testament to New Zealand's unwavering determination and tactical brilliance. It is the first time the Black Caps have ever won three Tests in a series, both home and away. Moreover, it is the first time they have triumphed in three consecutive away Tests.The whitewash is a bitter pill for India to swallow, as it is the first time they have been swept aside in a home series of three or more Tests. New Zealand joins an elite group of teams, including England, Australia, and the West Indies, to have whitewashed India in a series of three or more Tests.Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who had previously taken ten wickets in an innings at the Wankhede Stadium, played a pivotal role in New Zealand's victory. His five wickets in the first innings prevented India from gaining a substantial lead. Patel's match-winning spell of 6/57 saw India collapse to a paltry 121 all out in just 29.1 overs.In the post-match presentation, New Zealand captain Tom Latham expressed his elation. "We are ecstatic," he said. "The boys have done a fantastic job over the last three Test matches. We are pretty happy. We just want to keep it simple here. We tried to be more proactive and guys chipped in. We are very happy to stand at this position."New Zealand's dominance was evident throughout the series. They won the first Test in Bengaluru by 8 wickets and the second Test in Pune by 113 runs. Their victory in Mumbai was a fitting end to a remarkable tour.

India's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final have been severely compromised after New Zealand inflicted a historic 0-3 series whitewash on them at home. This marks India's first-ever series loss in such a manner on home soil, with the third Test ending in a 25-run defeat at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.As a result, India has dropped to second place in the WTC standings with 58.33 percentage points (PCT), trailing Australia's 62.50 PCT. India had dominated the WTC standings for most of the 2024-25 cycle, but their recent three consecutive losses have cost them their top spot. They now face a significant challenge in reclaiming their position, as several teams are closely competing.New Zealand's impressive series sweep has boosted their tally to 54.55 PCT, bringing them close to Sri Lanka's third-place position with 55.56 PCT, a thin margin of just 1.01 PCT. The battle for the final spots in the championship has intensified after the India-New Zealand series. South Africa is also a strong contender, sitting fifth with 54.17 PCT. Four of the top five teams in the standings have their PCTs very close to each other, ranging between 54 and 59, which promises a thrilling finish as the championship cycle progresses.Following the top five, England holds the sixth position with 40.79 PCT. Pakistan, Bangladesh, and West Indies round off the standings with 33.33, 27.50, and 18.52 PCT respectively. The close competition among the top teams adds to the excitement for cricket fans as the final leg of the WTC cycle approaches.India's defeat is a significant development in the race for the World Test Championship final. The top teams are very close in the standings, making the upcoming matches crucial. Fans can expect nail-biting games as teams vie for the coveted top positions. With Australia now leading and New Zealand swiftly climbing the ranks, every match will play a pivotal role in determining the finalists for this prestigious tournament.

India's humiliating 3-0 Test series defeat at home against New Zealand has left captain Rohit Sharma grappling with a bitter pill to swallow. The skipper acknowledged the team's collective failure, citing numerous mistakes and a lack of top-notch cricket.Chasing a modest 147 to salvage some pride, India collapsed to a dismal 121 all out. Despite Rishabh Pant's valiant 64, the team's batting woes continued, with the top order crumbling to 29 for 5. Pant's dismissal to a controversial third-umpire decision proved to be the final nail in the coffin."Losing a series, losing a Test match is never easy, but [this is] something that is not easily digested," Rohit lamented. "We didn't play our best cricket. We know that and we accept that. New Zealand played better than us throughout the series."Rohit highlighted the team's inability to post substantial first-innings totals in the first two Tests, putting them on the back foot. He also acknowledged the younger players' ability to score runs on challenging pitches, while he and Virat Kohli struggled."Those guys showed how to bat on these surfaces," Rohit said of the younger lot. "You have to be slightly ahead, and be proactive when you're playing on a pitch like that."Rohit's own batting form has been under scrutiny, with only one half-century in the series. He admitted to being disappointed with his performance and acknowledged that his captaincy could have been better.Despite the setbacks, Rohit remained optimistic about the team's future. "We are aware of what we need to do," he said. "It's just that, this was an unfortunate series where it didn't come off."

India's Test dominance at home has been shattered by New Zealand, who have inflicted a humiliating 0-3 whitewash on the hosts. This is the first time India have been swept aside in a home Test series since 1998, when Australia achieved the feat.The Kiwis' triumph began with an eight-wicket victory in Bengaluru, followed by a 113-run triumph in Pune. In Mumbai, they completed the clean sweep with a 25-run win at the Wankhede Stadium.Chasing a modest 147, India's batting crumbled once again. Captain Rohit Sharma (11) fell early, followed by Shubman Gill (1) and Virat Kohli (1). Yashasvi Jaiswal (5) and Sarfaraz Khan (1) also departed cheaply, leaving India reeling at 29/5.Rishabh Pant (64) and Ravindra Jadeja (28) provided some resistance with a 42-run stand, but Pant's dismissal after lunch triggered a collapse. Ajaz Patel (6/57) was the wrecker-in-chief, while Matt Henry (1/10) and Glenn Philips (3/42) also contributed.New Zealand's victory marks the first time they have won a Test series in India since 2012. They are also the first team to whitewash India in a home Test series in over 24 years.India's batting woes have been a major concern throughout the series. The top order has failed to provide a solid foundation, while the middle order has been unable to capitalize on starts. The bowling attack, led by Jadeja, has been competitive but has lacked support from the batsmen.New Zealand, on the other hand, have played with great discipline and determination. Their bowlers have been relentless, while their batsmen have shown resilience and adaptability.The whitewash is a major setback for India, who have been the dominant force in Test cricket in recent years. It will be interesting to see how they respond in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.