'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYGBgYHBgcICAcKCwoLCg8ODAwODxYQERAREBYiFRkVFRkVIh4kHhweJB42KiYmKjY+NDI0PkxERExfWl98fKf/2wBDAQYGBgYHBgcICAcKCwoLCg8ODAwODxYQERAREBYiFRkVFRkVIh4kHhweJB42KiYmKjY+NDI0PkxERExfWl98fKf/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQF/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQX/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMSQnH//xAAgEAABAgUFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAxEAAQQS0QUGISNS/9oACAEBAAE/ABQ22SDCmxN4liDo9BuK0JM/HWOI/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMUYf/aAAgBAgEBPwCtuH//xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARESQf/aAAgBAwEBPwC0Yj//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
India suffered a humiliating 0-2 Test series defeat against South Africa at home. They lost the second Test by a massive margin of 408 runs in Guwahati. The hosts had lost the opening Test by 30 runs in Kolkata.
They failed to chase 124 runs in Kolkata and were bowled out for 93. In the second Test, India had to bat out the fifth day with eight wickets in hand to save the game after being set a mammoth target of 549 runs. However, they were bundled out for just 140 in 63.5 overs.
This was their second whitewash in a home Test series in two consecutive years, following their 0-3 loss to New Zealand in 2024. It was also their fifth loss at home in the last seven Tests, all under Gautam Gambhir. The defeat hurt the hosts, who have fallen at home after having dominated and being undefeated for several years in the past.
Trending
While both defeats were shocking and humiliating for India, the loss to New Zealand in 2024 was worse of the two, and here is why.
First home series whitewash for India since 2000
The last time India suffered a whitewash at home before the New Zealand series in 2024 was in 2000 against South Africa, when they lost 0-2. Therefore, it was after 24 long years that they suffered such a fate at home. Moreover, it ended their glorious streak of having won 18 consecutive Test series on home soil. No other team had more than 10 consecutive Test series wins in their own backyard.
Further, it was India's first home series defeat in Tests in 12 years, having last lost to England in 2012 before the New Zealand debacle. It was the second-longest unbeaten series streak for any team at home in Test cricket, which came to an end with an embarrassing whitewash.
New Zealand had never won a Test series in India before
While South Africa had already managed to whitewash India once back in 2000, New Zealand had never won a Test series in India before. In fact, the last time the Kiwis had won a Test here before the 2024 series was 36 years ago during the 1988-99 tour. They had only two Test wins here - one in Nagpur in 1969 and the other at Wankhede in 1988.
The win in 2024 was also their first bilateral series win playing away from home in the World Test Championship. They had failed to win a single series out of their last seven away tours before.
A more experienced team for the hosts as compared to South Africa 2025
India had a more experienced and stable squad against New Zealand in 2024 than against South Africa in 2025. The hosts had three big guns in the side - captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin. Despite the presence of three stalwarts, the hosts suffered a 0-3 whitewash.
The batting unit was relatively inexperienced this time around against South Africa. Moreover, the team had only three stable batters in Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, while the remaining were all-rounders or multi-role players. They also missed captain Shubman Gill, who was out retired hurt in the first innings of the first Test and did not take any further part in the series.
South Africa had a more potent spin attack
South Africa had a stronger spin attack with Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer in their ranks. New Zealand did have potent spinners in Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel. Maharaj has played 30 Tests more than Santer, while Harmer came in with far more first-class experience than Ajaz Patel.
Harmer has played 236 first-class matches, bagging 1017 wickets, as compared to Ajaz Patel, who has 111 first-class appearances with 394 scalps to his name.
Having seen how New Zealand's spinners performed in 2024, the Proteas were also well prepared coming into the series.
Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news
