Cricket

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.

India's quest for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 final has hit a roadblock following their home series defeat to New Zealand. This setback marks India's first home Test series loss since 2012 and has significantly impacted their qualification prospects.Prior to the New Zealand series, India held a commanding lead in the WTC standings with a percentage (PCT) of 68.06. However, consecutive losses have seen their PCT plummet to 62.82, with Australia lurking close behind at 62.50 and Sri Lanka trailing at 55.56.India's path to the WTC final has become increasingly challenging. Five of their remaining matches are part of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, a formidable opponent. To secure a place in the final, India must emerge victorious in four out of the five Tests against Australia.The outcome of other series will also play a crucial role in India's qualification hopes. South Africa, currently fourth with a PCT of 54.17, will host two Tests each against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Sri Lanka, in third place with a PCT of 55.56, faces a daunting series against South Africa as they aim to reach their first ICC final in over a decade.With several crucial series yet to be played, the final outcome of this WTC cycle remains uncertain. Teams will need to demonstrate consistency, handle pressure effectively, and seize every opportunity to secure a place in the final at Lord's.

India's dominance at home, built on the performances of Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma, has come to an abrupt end with New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series victory. This defeat has raised concerns about the future of these aging heroes, who have been instrumental in India's success over the years.Kohli, Rohit, Ashwin, and Jadeja have been the backbone of India's Test team, leading them to two World Test Championship finals and a 12-year winning streak in home Test series. However, their recent performances have raised questions about their ability to continue at the highest level.In the recent series against New Zealand, Kohli struggled to score runs, accumulating just 93 runs at an average of 15.50. Rohit's performance was also disappointing, with 91 runs in 3 Tests at an average of 15.17. Ashwin's bowling was inconsistent, allowing the New Zealand batsmen to score freely. Jadeja, while still a crucial part of the team, has seen his economy rate rise in recent matches.The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will be a crucial test for these senior players. If they fail to perform, it could signal the end of an era for Indian cricket.

India's wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant's valiant effort to salvage a consolation victory in the third and final Test against New Zealand was cut short by a controversial dismissal that has sparked debate in the cricketing world.After India's top order collapsed, losing five wickets for just 29 runs, Pant launched a counter-attacking knock, scoring 64 runs off 57 balls in the chase of 147 runs. However, his innings was halted when he was adjudged caught behind off Ajaz Patel's bowling.New Zealand appealed for a catch by the wicket-keeper, but the umpire initially remained unmoved. However, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham convinced Patel to review the decision. Upon assessment, it was found that a spike was witnessed on the snicko meter when the ball passed the bat. However, at the same time, Pant's bat had also hit his pads.Despite the dilemma, the third umpire decided to give the decision in New Zealand's favor. The dismissal sparked outrage on social media, with former South Africa captain AB de Villiers highlighting the "grey area" in the DRS technology."Controversy! Little grey area once again. Did Pant get bat on that or not? Problem is when the ball passes the bat at exactly the same time a batter hits his pad snicko will pick up the noise. But how sure are we he hit it? I've always worried about this and here it happens at a huge moment in a big Test match. Where's hotspot?!", De Villiers posted on Twitter.Disappointed with the third umpire's call, Pant had a brief chat with the on-field umpire before taking the heavy and slow walk back to the dressing room. The dismissal proved to be a turning point in the match, as India eventually lost by 128 runs.The controversy surrounding Pant's dismissal has raised questions about the reliability of the DRS technology and the need for further advancements to eliminate such grey areas.

Shubman Gill's Dismissal Draws Criticism from Sunil GavaskarIndian cricket prodigy Shubman Gill's dismissal on Day 3 of the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has sparked criticism from legendary commentator Sunil Gavaskar. Gill, who had scored 90 runs in the first innings, was clean bowled by New Zealand's Ajaz Patel after failing to read the ball.Gavaskar, known for his astute cricketing analysis, expressed his disappointment with Gill's dismissal. "How many times have we seen Gill get out leaving the ball? To spinners, to fast bowlers... judgment of which ball to leave, which ball to play is something he will have to work on," Gavaskar said.Gill's dismissal was particularly frustrating as it came at a crucial juncture in the match. India had already lost the series, having suffered defeats in the first two matches. A victory in the Mumbai Test was essential to boost their hopes of making it to the World Test Championship final.However, the top-order batters failed to deliver, with Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan all being dismissed for cheap scores. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja forged a fine partnership to start India's rescue act, but Jadeja was also dismissed by Patel.At the end of the first session, the onus of guiding India to victory rested on the shoulders of Pant and Washington Sundar. India's hopes of winning the match and salvaging some pride in the series now hang in the balance.

India's Home Season Ends in Disappointment as Kohli and Rohit FalterIndia's once-unbeatable home record in Test cricket has been shattered, with the team suffering a disappointing defeat in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. The loss marks the end of a dismal home season for star batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have failed to live up to expectations.In the third Test, India's second innings collapsed cheaply, with Kohli and Sharma both falling for low scores. This followed a similar pattern in the first two Tests, where the Indian batting lineup struggled to cope with the New Zealand spinners on dustbowls.Kohli, who turns 36 next week, has not scored a Test century since July 2023. His average of 21.33 in the home season is a far cry from his usual high standards. Sharma, the Indian captain, has also endured a poor run of form, averaging just 13.30 with a highest score of 52.The diminishing returns of Kohli and Sharma are a major concern for India ahead of their upcoming five-Test series in Australia. The next couple of months will be crucial in determining whether the two stalwarts can extend their Test careers.The Indian team's home season has been a tale of two halves. After a dominant performance in the first Test against Bangladesh, India suffered a humiliating defeat in the second Test against New Zealand. The third Test ended with a whimper, leaving the team with a lot to ponder before their next assignment.

Virat Kohli's reckless run-out on Day 1 of the third Test against New Zealand has raised concerns among cricket experts. The former Indian captain, who has been struggling for form, threw his wicket away just minutes before stumps, leaving his team in a precarious position.Mohammad Kaif, a former India cricketer, expressed his dismay at Kohli's recent performances. "Virat Kohli in this series has been clean bowled to a full toss and now this error of judgment to be run out. This needs to change if India needs to reach the WTC final," Kaif tweeted.Anil Kumble, another former India great, echoed Kaif's sentiments. "You can't have this repeatedly happening in every game, so it's more than a concern at the moment," Kumble said. "Nobody expected the run-out. This was certainly not something that you expect of Virat Kohli getting run out in the last over or last few minutes of a day's play."Kohli's struggles in Test cricket have been evident in recent years. In 2024, he has scored only 249 runs in six Tests, with just one fifty. However, in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship, he has been more consistent, scoring 560 runs in nine Tests, including a century and three fifties.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains one of the most experienced and respected batsmen in the world. However, his form has become a major concern for India, who are aiming to reach the final of the World Test Championship.Kohli's run-out has also raised questions about his mental state. The former India captain has been under immense pressure in recent months, both on and off the field. His wife, Anushka Sharma, recently gave birth to their second child, and Kohli has been juggling his personal and professional commitments.It remains to be seen how Kohli will respond to the criticism and pressure. However, one thing is for sure: India need their star batsman to rediscover his form if they are to achieve their goals in the World Test Championship.