India dropped to second place in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings after a 25-run defeat to New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium, handing Australia the top spot.
India’s points percentage now stands at 58.33, below Australia’s 62.5. New Zealand’s win lifted them to fourth place with a 54.55 points percentage, displacing South Africa, who now sit fifth at 54.17 after a 2-0 victory over Bangladesh. Sri Lanka retained third position with a 55.56 points percentage.
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This series marked India’s first home whitewash since South Africa’s 2-0 triumph in 1999-2000. India now look to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, their final series in the 2023-2025 WTC cycle. The five-match series will run from November 22 to January 7, with matches in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
India need at least four wins in Australia and favorable outcomes in other series to secure a spot in the WTC final at Lord’s next year.
In Mumbai, India’s top order faltered in their chase of 147, losing five wickets for just 29 runs. Rishabh Pant counter-attacked, reaching a quick half-century in 48 balls. He partnered with Ravindra Jadeja for 42 runs and Washington Sundar for another 35, but Ajaz Patel’s left-arm spin proved decisive. Patel dismissed Pant with a sharp delivery, ending India’s innings at 121 and sealing New Zealand’s 3-0 series win.
