India's former cricketers fell into stunned silence in the immediate aftermath of the unmitigated disaster against New Zealand here on Sunday. But once they gathered their thoughts, they were undeterred as they reviewed the team's debacle. The likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh called for “introspection”, urging the team management to stop “unnecessary experiments” in the Test format and play on better pitches. India suffered a humiliating 0-3 whitewash at home for the first time after a 25-run defeat in the third Test against a New Zealand side that arrived here after a 0-2 defeat to Sri Lanka.
“Losing 3-0 at home is a tough pill to swallow, and it requires introspection. Was it a lack of preparation, was it poor shot selection, or was it a lack of match practice?” Tendulkar posted on X.
Set a target of 147 on a crumbling Wankhede pitch, India lasted just 29.1 overs before being bowled out for 121, making it the lowest target successfully defended against them at home.
Rishabh Pant (64), who hit fifty in both innings, was the only batsman to show any fight while Shubman Gill (90) was the top scorer in India's first innings.
“@ShubmanGill showed resilience in the first innings, and @RishabhPant17 was brilliant in both innings – his footwork made a challenging surface look completely different. He was just fantastic,” Tendulkar noted.
Terming it a terrible show by Rohit Sharma's team, former India opener Sehwag wrote on Instagram: “While it is imperative as fans to support the team, this has been a terrible performance by our team.
“The ability to play spin definitely needs an upgrade and some experiments are good for the shorter format, but in Test cricket doing some unnecessary experiments just for the sake of the game was bad indeed.
“Congratulations to Tom Latham and his @blackcapsnz boys on doing what is a dream for any visiting team and that no other can overcome like this.”
The crushing blow not only knocked India off the top of the World Test Championship but also exposed serious cracks in their batting against spin as New Zealand tweakers took 37 of India's 57 wickets.
Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner with 13 wickets was the commander-in-chief in the second Test in Pune, and during his absence in Mumbai after a side strain, Ajaz Patel led the charge with an extraordinary 11-wicket performance.
Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said on these types of pitches “anyone can take anyone out” and teams don't need legends like Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne or Saqlain Mushtaq to take wickets.
“Spinning pitches become your own enemy #INDvsNZTEST Congratulations NZ, you have beaten us. I have been saying for years. Team India needs to play on better pitches. These spinning pitches make every batsman look very ordinary,” Harbhajan wrote on X.
“Earlier generations of batsmen never played on these types of tracks. These tracks are prepared for 2/3 day Test matches. You don't need Murli, Warne or Saqi on these pitches to get the teams out. Anyone can get anyone out.” Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlighted the lack of red ball cricket for the senior Indian batsmen as one of the reasons for the debacle.
“This is an embarrassing display by team India at home. A lot to think about for the decision makers. Well done New Zealand on such a great performance.”
“Had a good chat with @iamyusufpathan bhai yesterday. He made a valid point about domestic cricket: we play on grass pitches or flat courts, but rarely on spinning surfaces anymore. Plus, top players don't play domestic cricket. This would hurt us in the long run can do.”
This is an embarrassing display from team India at home. Lots to think about for the decision makers. Well done New Zealand on such a great performance.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 3, 2024
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar added: “And with that we come to the end of a long phase of rank turners in India.” There were also comments from abroad, with former England captain Michael Vaughan saying that Indian batsmen now struggle with spin like most teams.
“India winning is incredible but delivering a clean sweep is remarkable… has to be the biggest ever Test series win. India now have a group of batters who struggle with spin like most teams…” wrote Vaughan.
Ian Bishop, former West Indies pacer, wrote: “Great from New Zealand. A population of less than 6 million. No Kane Williamson. They have overcome an unenviable task, and both the men's and women's teams have a historic and a proud few weeks behind us.” The victory was doubly special for New Zealand, who had landed on Indian shores after a 0-2 whitewash in Sri Lanka.
“A unique victory for New Zealand! From the whitewashing in Sri Lanka to the whitewashing of India, just WOW. What a turnaround for the Kiwis! A historic moment in New Zealand's cricket history!” wrote former Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga.
Former New Zealand left-arm pacer Mitchell McClenaghan wrote: “Undoubtedly @BLACKCAPS best win of all time. Unbelievable.” “Great win for New Zealand, incredible performance! India go to Australia with a huge point to prove!” former coach Mickey Arthur pointed out.
Topics mentioned in this article