IND vs NZ Test Series: Forgettable Records Set by India During Their Historic Loss to New Zealand

The recent Test series against New Zealand will be one that Indian cricket fans would prefer to erase from their memories. Despite their formidable reputation.

India faced a historic whitewash, losing all three matches, and in the process, several forgettable records were set that will haunt the team for years to come. Here’s a closer look at the dismal feats that emerged from this series.

Forgettable Records Set by India in the Series

Record	Details
Home Series Whitewash	India was whitewashed 0-3 in the Test series, marking a historic low.
Ten Home Series Defeats	This loss marked India's tenth home Test series defeat at Wankhede Stadium since its first Test in 1974.
Inability to Chase Low Targets	India failed to chase down 147 runs in the final Test.
Lowest Successful Run Chase	Marked the second-lowest successful run chase for targets under 200 in Test history.
Disappointing Batting Performances	Rohit Sharma averaged 9.20 across six innings; Virat Kohli scored only 93 runs in the series.
Controversial Dismissals	Rishabh Pant's dismissal in the final Test was a contentious DRS call.
Spin Bowling Struggles	Ajaz Patel took 11 wickets in the final Test, showcasing India's struggles against quality spin.
Impact on World Test Championship	The series defeat complicates India 's path in the World Test Championship.
Historic Test Losses	First Test win for New Zealand in India since 1988 and just the third win in 37 Test matches on Indian soil.
Most Home Defeats in a Calendar Year	Four home defeats in a calendar year: 2 vs NZ, 1 vs ENG in 2024.
Rohit Sharma's Captaincy	Fourth defeat in 15 home Tests as captain, putting him on par with Kapil Dev and Mohammad Azharuddin.
Mitchell Santner’s Bowling Figures	Third-best match figures for a NZ bowler with 13/157 against India.
Consecutive Home Series Wins Ended	India’s record of 18 consecutive bilateral home series wins came to an end.

This series marked a significant low in Indian cricket history, as they became only the fourth team ever to be whitewashed at home in a three-Test series. The loss also highlighted India’s vulnerability at the Wankhede Stadium, where they suffered their tenth home series defeat since the venue’s first Test in 1974. Prior to this series, India had not lost a home series in over a decade, making this defeat particularly jarring for players and supporters alike.

India's batting lineup faced severe scrutiny, particularly in their inability to chase down modest targets. In the final Test, they failed to reach a target of just 147 runs, marking the second-lowest successful run chase by India in their Test history for targets under 200. This follows a similar disappointing performance against the West Indies in 1997 when they managed only 120 runs. The inability to build partnerships and the collapse of the batting order in crucial moments was a stark reminder of their struggles.

Across the series, Indian batsmen produced dismal performances, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Cheteshwar Pujara collectively struggling to make an impact. Rohit’s disappointing average of 9.20 across six innings and his inability to convert starts into significant scores raised questions about his leadership and form. Virat Kohli’s performance was equally concerning, managing only 93 runs throughout the series. These subpar individual performances contributed to the team's overall failure and highlighted a severe lack of form from senior players during a critical period.

The series was marred by a series of contentious umpiring decisions that left players and fans alike in disbelief. Rishabh Pant's dismissal in the final Test was particularly controversial, coming after a close DRS call when he was in a position to lead a potential comeback. Such decisions not only impacted the morale of the team but also drew attention to the inconsistencies in the officiating during the series, further compounding India

's woes.

While India’s performance was forgettable, the series also underscored the impressive achievement of New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel, who took 11 wickets in the final match alone. His 6-57 performance was a highlight for New Zealand, but for India, it only amplified their batting frailties and the struggle against quality spin bowling. The stark contrast in performances between the two teams was evident, with Patel showcasing the kind of bowling that India once prided itself on.

This series defeat raises significant concerns for India as they approach the World Test Championship. The need for reflection and rebuilding is apparent, especially with key players underperforming. The upcoming Border–Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will be a crucial test of character for this Indian team, as they must regroup and demonstrate resilience to bounce back from this historic low.