In their previous encounter at Wankhede, India’s commanding performance saw them clinch a 372-run victory
The India-New Zealand Test series has proved to be disastrous for India. Losing the first two matches, India faced its first home series loss in 12 years, with New Zealand clinching their maiden series victory in India. Heading into the third and final Test at Wankhede, Rohit Sharma’s team aims to salvage whatever little pride is left at home. However, New Zealand, led by Tom Latham, has already shown resilience, outperforming India in unexpected conditions and positioning themselves as formidable contenders in Indian territory. This was no ordinary victory for New Zealand. The series win marked the first time a Kiwi team defeated India in a Test series in India, a feat no other New Zealand squad achieved before.
However, the third Test is at the Wankhede, a venue which saw India whooping New Zealand in 2021. While it is hard to determine if New Zealand will end up whitewashing India or not, we can surely rewind time and take a look at India’s dominating victory over the Kiwis in 2021.
In India’s previous encounter at Wankhede, the men in blues’ commanding performance saw them clinch a 372-run victory. Mayank Agarwal’s splendid innings of 150 and 62 runs became the bedrock of India’s 325-run first innings. However, the match became historic when New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel took all ten wickets, ending with figures of 10-119. Despite this, India continued their dominance, establishing one of their most significant victory margins against New Zealand. It was a momentous game, blending memorable individual milestones with team triumph.
Batting first, India posted a strong 325-run total thanks to Agarwal’s gutsy 150, which included 17 boundaries and four sixes. Patel’s incredible effort earned him the distinction of being only the third bowler in Test history to claim all 10 wickets in a single innings. Yet, New Zealand crumbled under India’s bowling attack, managing only 62 runs in their first innings. Mohammed Siraj’s early breakthroughs and Ravichandran Ashwin’s four wickets capitalized on New Zealand’s struggle, securing India a decisive first-innings lead.
Opting to bat again, India piled on runs in their second innings, with Agarwal scoring a brisk 62. Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill's contributions, scoring 47, helped India set a challenging target of 540 for the Kiwis. Axar Patel chipped in with a swift 41 not out, showcasing India’s batting depth. Ajaz Patel continued to show skill, taking four wickets in the innings, yet lacked support from fellow bowlers. With an uphill task ahead, New Zealand faced a daunting fourth-innings chase.
New Zealand’s final innings saw resistance from Daryl Mitchell (60) and Henry Nicholls (44), but they ultimately succumbed to India’s spin attack. Ashwin and Jayant Yadav led the charge, with Yadav taking four crucial lower-order wickets to secure India’s triumph. The win was a testament to India’s home advantage, as Ashwin’s mastery with the ball ensured India’s 1-0 series victory. Agarwal’s stellar batting performance won him Player of the Match, while Ashwin’s consistency throughout the series earned him the Player of the Series award.
Despite the loss, Ajaz Patel’s 14 wickets for 225 runs were the best match figures ever recorded in a Test on the losing side, surpassing Javagal Srinath’s record. His achievement of taking all 10 wickets in an innings was monumental, making him a hero in the eyes of cricket fans worldwide. Although India triumphed, Ajaz’s exceptional performance stood out, creating a historic moment in Test cricket. This Wankhede showdown became unforgettable, merging remarkable records with an emphatic Indian victory.