Will India once again overwhelm the BlackCaps with their all-round superiority, or will New Zealand find a way to overcome their past struggles?
As India and New Zealand prepare for their three-match Test series starting on October 16, 2024, fans are buzzing with anticipation. But one key player will be notably absent. Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s batting maestro, has been ruled out of the first Test due to a groin strain he picked up during their second Test against Sri Lanka.
With his absence adding to New Zealand’s woes, the spotlight turns to how both teams will adapt. However, as we look ahead to the forthcoming clash, it’s worth diving into history—a history where India has twice dismantled New Zealand by over 300 runs.
In the second Test of New Zealand’s 2021 tour of India, at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium, India handed New Zealand their most significant defeat in terms of runs—372, to be exact. This match not only sealed the series for India but also marked their return to the top of the ICC Test rankings.
#TeamIndia win the 2nd Test by 372 runs to clinch the series 1-0.
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2021
Scorecard - https://t.co/KYV5Z1jAEM #INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/uCdBEH4M6h
After a strong start by India, where Mayank Agarwal’s gritty 150 anchored the first innings total of 325, New Zealand’s left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel made history by becoming only the third bowler in Test history to take all 10 wickets in an innings. His spell of 10 for 119 was extraordinary, but New Zealand’s batting failed to respond despite his heroics.
Another gritty performance led India’s second innings from Agarwal, who followed up his first-innings century with a solid 62. India declared at 276/7, setting New Zealand an improbable target of 540.
In response, New Zealand’s first innings crumbled for just 62 runs, with Ravichandran Ashwin (4-8) and Mohammed Siraj (3-19) running riot. The BlackCaps fared slightly better in their second innings, where Jayant Yadav and Ashwin ran through the lineup again, taking four wickets apiece. New Zealand could only muster 167 before folding, with Daryl Mitchell’s 60 being the only resistance.
India’s 372-run victory not only secured the series but also sent a strong message to the cricketing world—India at home is a force that’s nearly impossible to stop.
The third Test of New Zealand’s 2016 tour of India, played at Indore, was another instance of Indian dominance. The match will forever be remembered for Virat Kohli’s magnificent double century and R Ashwin’s 13-wicket match haul.
#IND whitewash #NZ 3-0 by winning the 3rd Test comprehensively.
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) October 12, 2016
Find the match report here: https://t.co/jB8KFBF02J#INDvNZ #DilSeIndian pic.twitter.com/wAcXf5SS6v
India’s first innings total of 577/5 was a batting masterclass, with captain Virat Kohli scoring 211 and Ajinkya Rahane contributing 188. Kohli’s impeccable control and Rahane’s fluent strokeplay kept New Zealand in the field for what must have felt like an eternity. When India finally declared, New Zealand, despite Martin Guptill’s 72 and James Neesham’s 71, could only muster 299 in their first innings, with Ashwin picking up 6-81.
India then declared their second innings at 216/3, with Cheteshwar Pujara notching up an unbeaten 101, setting New Zealand a colossal target of 475.
New Zealand’s final innings was nothing short of a disaster. Ashwin ran through their batting order like a hot knife through butter, finishing with 7 for 59. The Kiwis were bowled out for a meagre 153, handing India a 321-run victory and sealing a 3-0 whitewash in the series.
The victory affirmed India’s position as the No. 1 Test team and established Ashwin as one of the most lethal spinners in world cricket.
