After a historic 12-year winning streak at home, India's cricket team suffered a crushing defeat to New Zealand in the second Test match on Saturday. This loss not only puts an end to India's dominant run, but also jeopardizes their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. With just one match left in the series and more tough matches ahead, India will have to secure four wins out of six to secure their spot in the final. However, if they fail to do so, they will have to rely on favorable results from other teams in the competition. Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand are also contenders for the final, making the race for the top two spots intense and unpredictable.
India's Test Dominance Ends with Crushing Defeat to New Zealand
India's formidable reign at home in Test cricket has come to an abrupt end with a demoralizing defeat to New Zealand in the second Test match in Mumbai. The Black Caps clinched a resounding victory by 7 wickets, snapping India's remarkable 12-year unbeaten streak on home soil.
Background
Since 2012, India had established an almost impenetrable fortress at home, winning 40 consecutive Tests. This dominant run cemented their status as one of the most formidable Test sides globally and earned them the moniker "Fortress India." Key factors in this success included a top-class spin attack, a deep batting lineup, and an experienced core of players led by captain Virat Kohli.
Historic Loss
However, New Zealand proved to be an unexpected stumbling block. After a draw in the first Test in Kanpur, the Black Caps stunned India in Mumbai with a clinical performance. Their pace bowlers, led by Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson, wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, dismissing them for just 325 in the first innings and 167 in the second.
New Zealand then chased down a victory target of 153 with ease, consigning India to their first home Test defeat since 2012. The loss not only shattered their unbeaten streak but also dealt a severe blow to their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final.
Consequences
India now faces an uphill battle to qualify for the WTC final. With just one match remaining in the series against New Zealand, they need to win four out of six Tests to secure their spot. However, if they fail to do so, they will be dependent on favorable results from other teams in the competition.
Sri Lanka, South Africa, and New Zealand are also in contention for the final, making the race for the top two spots highly competitive and unpredictable.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What was the last time India lost a Test match at home? A: India's last home Test defeat came against England in November 2012.
2. Who was the captain of India during their 12-year unbeaten streak? A: Virat Kohli was the captain of India during their entire 12-year unbeaten streak at home.
3. Which New Zealand player was the Player of the Match in the second Test? A: Kyle Jamieson was named Player of the Match for his 7 wickets and a crucial half-century in the first innings.
4. Has India ever lost a Test series at home? A: Yes, India has lost three Test series at home in the past - against South Africa in 2000, Australia in 2004, and England in 2012.
5. What are the odds of India reaching the WTC final? A: India's chances of reaching the WTC final are currently unknown and depend on the results of their remaining matches and other teams in the competition.
In a surprising turn of events, Sunderland secured a 2-1 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Despite an early goal from Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho, Sunderland's Wilson Isidor and Chemsdine Talbi both scored in the second half to give the Black Cats an unexpected victory. Stay updated on all the latest football news with our live blog and never miss a beat!
In a highly anticipated matchup, Brentford proved their dominance as they handed a struggling Liverpool their fourth consecutive Premier League loss. Despite Liverpool's star-studded lineup and the addition of new players, their struggles seem to be continuing, raising questions about their season's future. With expert commentary from Oliver Holt and Lewis Steele reporting from the ground, Daily Mail Sport's live blog provided in-depth coverage of the action.
After a string of disappointing losses, Liverpool have bounced back with a vengeance in their Champions League match against Frankfurt. With key player Florian Wirtz at the helm, the Reds solidly trounced their opponents with a 5-1 score, including performances from new signings Hugo Ekitke and Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool looks to continue their success in the Premier League against Brentford this weekend, but the fallout from their win - including criticism of coach Arne Slot and praise for Wirtz and Ekitke - continues to make waves in the sports world.
Lando Norris of McLaren claimed the top spot in qualifying, beating out competitors like Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen for pole position at the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix. With teammate Daniel Piastri struggling and facing a grid penalty, Norris has a prime opportunity to score crucial points for his championship hopes. This marks Norris’ first pole since the Belgian Grand Prix in July, making it a significant achievement for the young driver.
In a dazzling display of technique and determination, veteran Indian opener Rohit Sharma delivered a match-winning performance in the third ODI against Australia. His unbeaten century not only secured victory for his side but also propelled him to the top of the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, making him the oldest player ever to hold the No.1 spot. Rohit's consistent form throughout the series, where he also won the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards, cemented his status as one of the modern greats of ODI cricket.
Indian Cricket Team vice-captain Shreyas Iyer proved to be the star of the third ODI against the Australian Cricket Team, not only with his batting skills but also with his incredible fielding. During a crucial stage in the match, Iyer sprinted backwards and dove to catch a difficult ball, resulting in the dismissal of a key Australian batsman. However, he unfortunately injured himself in the process and had to leave the field. This moment of brilliance from Iyer was one of the highlights of the match, leaving fans and experts in awe of his talent and determination.
In the final game of the series, Australia's top six batsmen failed to convert their starts as India bowled them out for just 236 runs. Despite a strong opening stand from Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh and a half-century from Matt Renshaw, India's bowlers, led by Harshit Rana, put up a sensational performance to keep their hopes of avoiding a series whitewash alive. With a target of 237, India will need to bat well to secure a win and gain some momentum before the T20Is.
Despite a solid fifty from Australian opener Matt Renshaw, the Indian bowlers led by captain Harshit Rana were able to restrict the hosts to 236 in their final One-Day International at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Rana's pace and bounce on a fresh pitch, along with tidy bowling from the Indian spinners, proved to be too much for the Aussies. Despite partnerships from Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, the Australians were unable to set a bigger total for their opponents.
As Harshit Rana's selection in the Indian cricket team for the ongoing tour of Australia sparks debate, we compare his bowling stats after seven one-day matches with that of fellow young pacer Prasidh Krishna's. While Rana has shown promise with an economy rate of 6.06 and 12 wickets, Krishna's 4.84 and 18 wickets in the same number of matches suggest he might have the edge. However, Rana's best figures of 3-31 against Bangladesh and his overall consistent performance cannot be overlooked. Will he outshine Krishna and silence the critics in the upcoming Sydney ODI?
In an intense clash between India and Australia in the third ODI, star batter Shreyas Iyer made an exceptional catch to dismiss Alex Carey but appeared to injure himself in the process. With Australia dominating the series with back-to-back wins, the Men in Blue are fighting to avoid a clean sweep. Despite a strong start to the third ODI, Iyer's injury casts uncertainty on his return to the field and with the bat.