Former England captain reveals Team India's biggest weakness, Cricket Australia calls Mumbai Test exceptional

Former England captain Michael Vaughan pointed out the hosts' struggles against spin in the series after New Zealand's thrilling win over India in the final Test on Sunday completed a historic 3-0 clean sweep. He said that India now has a group of batsmen who struggle against spin like many teams. India found it challenging against Ajaz Patel's spin. New Zealand's biggest-ever Test series win was achieved by the left-arm spinner, who was born in Mumbai, taking his 11 wicket of the match.

New Zealand beat the Rohit Sharma-led side by 25 runs at the Wankhede Stadium to give India their first whitewash in a three-Test series at home. Congratulating New Zealand for this magnificent victory, Vaughan wrote on x, “Winning in India is incredible, but a clean sweep is also remarkable… This is the biggest Test series win so far. India now have a group of batsmen who struggle against spin like most teams.”

India needed 147 runs to avoid the defeat, but once again India's top order failed to stand tall and soon a half side had fallen for just 29 runs. Unfazed by the situation, the first flurry of shots were hit by Rishabh Pant, who completed his half-century in just 48 balls-first shared a 42-run stand with Jadeja and then added 35 runs with Washington Sundar. Ajaz Patel, however, cut this attack short and his ball striking the inside edge of Pant nestled into the keeper's hands. A brilliant ball, that gave him his second five-wicket haul in the match.

Cricket.com.au wrote on X, "Extraordinary scenes were witnessed in Mumbai as India were beaten 3-0 by New Zealand, less than three weeks before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series begins." Runs fell short after Pant's departure and New Zealand soon demolished the rest of the lineup and whitewashed India in the series, their first since South Africa's 2-0 win in 1999-2000.

Former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer said, "New Zealand deserves all the praise for what they have achieved. Probably the greatest moment in New Zealand cricket history. They outplayed India in every department and won, and they deserve all the praise and respect. Well played." Jaffer, however, criticized Pant's controversial dismissal and said, "I don't think it was decisive enough to overturn the field umpire's decision of not out."

Former South African batsman AB de Villiers also congratulated New Zealand for the historic Test series win, saying, "Awesome Test series win! Congratulations New Zealand". New Zealand's series win also separated them from India's run of 18 consecutive series wins after the 2-1 loss against England in 2012. Quite remarkably, this is the first time India have been whitewashed in a series comprising three or more Test matches on home turf. On the other hand, New Zealand became the fourth team after England, Australia, and West Indies to whitewash India in a series of 3 or more Test matches.