Daily Times

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel took six wickets as his side sealed a historic 3-0 Test sweep in India, with a thrilling 25-run win in the third Test on Sunday.

Chasing 147 for victory, India were bowled out for 121 in 29.1 overs on day three, after Rishabh Pant hit a valiant 64 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

Ajaz bowled Washington Sundar for 12 for the final wicket as he roared in delight and the Black Caps celebrated the rare triumph and their first ever Test series win on Indian soil.

This is the first time India have been whitewashed in a Test series at home since South Africa’s 2-0 win in 1999-2000, and their first-ever 3-0 clean sweep at home. Mumbai-born New Zealander Ajaz ended with a match-haul of 11 wickets, at a venue where he created history by claiming all 10 wickets in a Test innings in 2021.

In a tricky chase on a turning pitch, New Zealand reduced India to 29-5, before the left-hand Pant made the team fight back with his half-century.

But Ajaz, after lunch, had Pant caught by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, a decision denied by the on-field umpire but successfully reviewed by New Zealand.

The third umpire went through numerous TV replays to decide that the ball had edged the bat before it took the pads en route to Blundell’s gloves. An unconvinced Pant trudged back.