India lose to New Zealand in 2nd Test, suffer series whitewash after 8 years

World number one India suffered a seven-wicket defeat in less than three days as New Zealand completed a memorable series sweep in the second Test here on Monday (March 2). New Zealand achieved a rare feat when they whitewashed the Test series 2-0 against India after eight years in Christchurch.

Update: 2020-03-02 03:27 GMT
New Zealand's Kane Williamson shakes hands with Ross Taylor after winning the match on day three of the second cricket test between New Zealand and India at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: @BLACKCAPS/Twitter

New Zealand achieved a rare feat on Monday (March 2) morning when they whitewashed the Test series 2-0 against India after eight years in Christchurch.

This is the first time since their 0-4 defeat in 2011-12 against Australia that the visitors have suffered a series clean sweep in Test cricket. This three-day defeat is also India’s first series loss in Test cricket in 17 months.

India’s Virat Kohli, left, shakes hands with New Zealand’s Tom Blundell as they leave the field on day three of the second cricket test between New Zealand and India at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: PTI

A star-studded Indian team was given a reality check by a disciplined New Zealand side that completed a memorable game with a seven-wicket win inside three days in the second Test.

New Zealand chased down a modest victory target of 132 in just 36 overs after India’s second innings folded for 124 in less than an hour on the third day.

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Tom Latham (52 off 74 balls) and Tom Blundell (55 off 113 balls) had a good batting session as Mohammed Shami didn’t bowl post-lunch due to a ball-impact injury while batting.

A solid 120 points took New Zealand’s tally to 180 even as India stayed on top with 360 points courtesy their series wins against the lowly West Indies, depleted South Africa and a below-par Bangladesh.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja plays at the ball during play on day three of the second cricket test between New Zealand and India at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: PTI

The feel-good factor of a 5-0 T20 series victory seemed like ancient history as a dream start turned into a virtual nightmare for Virat Kohli’s bunch that has always taken immense pride in performing in overseas conditions.

However, a look at India’s overseas performance indicates that whenever the ball had swung and seamed, reputations had been laid in tatters. It happened in England in 2014 and 2018 and now New Zealand have exposed them one more time.

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More than the margin, the manner of surrender will come back to haunt the current Indian team, which leaves this part of the world with a lot of unanswered questions. It’s not only about the technique of some top players against the moving deliveries but also about their mindset when put under the pump.

There were only four half-centuries across four innings in this series with techniques of some of the players like Ajinkya Rahane, Mayank Agarwal against seam and swing leaving a lot to be desired.

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson reacts as he hits the ball to be out caught during play on day three of the second cricket test between New Zealand and India at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: PTI

Skipper Kohli’s 38 runs in four innings was one of the biggest setbacks for the visitors in the series.

Prithvi Shaw is a work in progress when it comes to his decision-making on deliveries on the fourth stump and, of course, the short ball, which the Kiwis used liberally to get rid of him since the start of the practice games.

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Kohli’s problems against the seaming deliveries resurfaced again during the series but there is little time to go back to the drawing board with a packed schedule for the remaining part of the year.

India will next play in seaming conditions in England in 2021 and hence some of the issues may just persist with no time in the interim for a course correction.

New Zealand batsmen celebrate their win over India after the second Test in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: @BLACKCAPS/Twitter

On Monday, there was another lower-order collapse as the last four wickets went for 34 runs, but lack of gumption from someone like Rishabh Pant, playing for his place in the side, was disheartening.

It was the pair of Tim Southee (3/36 in 11 overs) and Trent Boult (4/28 in 14 overs), which once again tormented the Indian batsmen, who were all at sea against quality bowling on a slightly challenging track.

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In the morning, Hanuma Vihari (9) was caught down the leg-side off an innocuous Southee delivery.

On a track where it was next to impossible to defend, Pant was seen pushing and prodding defensively, something that’s not his natural game. The result was a half-hearted poke at an away going delivery that safely landed in the wicketkeeper’s gloves.

New Zealand squad poses for a photograph with their series winning trophy after second Test match against India in Christchurch. Photo: @BLACKCAPS/Twitter

The much-talked-about “intent” was completely missing in Pant’s game and his approach defied logic.

Especially after coach Ravi Shastri spoke about how his aggressive batting scored over Wriddhiman Saha, but questions will certainly be asked on if scores of 19, 25, 12 and 4 justify his inclusion over a more accomplished stumper.

(With inputs from agencies)

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