The cricketing world is abuzz following India’s shocking 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand, marking the first time India has been whitewashed at home in a series of three or more Tests. Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has voiced his disappointment, describing the loss as a “tough pill to swallow.” He emphasized the need for introspection within the team while praising standout performances from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant.
Sachin Tendulkar Calls for Introspection
In a heartfelt message on X, Tendulkar questioned where India went wrong during the series. He stated, “Losing 3-0 at home is a tough pill to swallow, and it calls for introspection. Was it lack of preparation, was it poor shot selection, or was it lack of match practice?” His comments reflect a deep concern about the team’s performance and suggest that a thorough review is necessary to identify the root causes of their struggles.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Tendulkar took time to commend young players who showed promise. He highlighted Shubman Gill’s resilience in the first innings, where he scored 90 runs. Tendulkar noted, “Shubman Gill showed resilience in the first innings,” acknowledging his effort in a challenging situation.
Additionally, he praised Rishabh Pant for his impressive contributions in both innings: “Rishabh Pant was brilliant in both innings—his footwork made a challenging surface look like a different one altogether. He was simply superb.”
New Zealand’s Historic Achievement
Sachin Tendulkar also credited New Zealand for their outstanding performance throughout the series. He remarked, “Full credit to New Zealand for their consistent performance throughout the series. Winning 3-0 in India is as good a result as it can get.” This sentiment underscores the significance of New Zealand’s achievement, as they became only the fourth team to whitewash India in a Test series at home.
In the third Test at Wankhede Stadium, New Zealand secured their historic clean sweep by winning by 25 runs. India struggled on a spin-friendly track, collapsing early in their chase of 147 runs. They found themselves reeling at 29 for 5 before Rishabh Pant’s counter-attacking innings briefly revived hopes. However, his controversial dismissal for 64 runs proved detrimental as Ajaz Patel claimed six wickets and bundled India out for just 121 runs.
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