New Zealand made history after becoming the first side to defeat India 3-0 in a three-match Test series played in India. India's glorious record, which was the envy of the world until October, was brought to an end by a humiliating 25-run loss in the third and final Test match in Mumbai. Indian captain Rohit Sharma was extremely disappointed with loss and accepted that he has not been at his best both as a captain and as a batter in this series.
Rohit Sharma on the loss
"Losing a series, a Test match, is never easy, something that is not easily digestible. We didn't play our best cricket, NZ played better throughout the series. There were a lot of mistakes we did. The first two Tests we did not put enough runs in the first innings. This game we got the 30 runs [28] lead and the target was chaseable. We failed as a unit. When you are chasing a target like that, you want runs on the board. That was in my mind and it did not come off. When it does not come off it does not look great," said Rohit Sharma in the post-match presentation.
"I go in with certain plans and those did not come off this series. We did not play our best cricket in these conditions and are facing the result of that. Pant, Gill, Washington showed how to bat on those surfaces. You have to be proactive, last three-four years we have been playing on pitches like that. This was an unfortunate series where we tried certain things that did not come off. I was not at my best as captain in leading the team as well as with the bat. Collectively as a unit we failed to perform," he added.
New Zealand's historic clean sweep
Prior to New Zealand's October tour, India had not lost a home Test series since 2012. Furthermore, in a home series consisting of more than two Tests, India has not won a single Test for the first time. On Day 3, Ajaz Patel's heroics helped New Zealand write history, and Rishabh Pant's amazing knock was in vain.
India is in danger of losing out on a spot in the World Test Championship final for the first time since the tournament's introduction in 2019, therefore the warning signs must be taken carefully. India will have a difficult task when they travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, their confidence and ego damaged.
