• Source:JND
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India lost Test Series against New Zealand: India had a horrible outing in the recently concluded three-match Test series against New Zealand which they lost 0-3 at home.

India's struggle against spinners was once again full on display as Ajaz Patel ran riot at the Wankhede Stadium once again, leading to the hosts' 25-run defeat in the final Test.

Apart from the first innings of the opening Test, which was played under a gloomy sky in Bengaluru, New Zealand pacers didn't have much of an impact in the remainder of the series.

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After losing the Bengaluru Test, India then shifted to turning tracks which brought New Zealand spinners Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips into play big time.

They capitalised by taking full advantage of the conditions, also exposing the vulnerable skill set of Indian batters when they turned up to face ball turners.

In 2024, India's batting average against spinners saw a significant drop in the three Tests that Rohit's side hosted this year.

India's struggle against the spinners during the England series got hidden on the back of their 4-1 series win under then-head coach Rahul Dravid.

During that series, India's batting average against spinners nearly touched 40, 39.9, to be precise, in five matches. Shoaib Bashir (17), Rehan Ahmed (11), Tom Hartley (22), Jack Leach (2) and Joe Root (8) all together took 60 wickets in the series.

The Rohit Sharma-led side came up well during the Bangladesh series as batters piled up runs at an average of 42.9. However, against New Zealand, the average hit rock bottom. In three Tests, India lost 37 wickets to New Zealand spinners and scored at a mere average of 24.4.

While Virat Kohli missed the five-match Test series against England due to personal reasons, skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed five times against spinners in the nine innings he played.

In the Bangladesh series, Rohit was dismissed by spinners and as many times against the pacers while Virat also was undone by the spinners twice.

New Zealand spinners were all over the Indian top order with Virat departing four times against them whereas Rohit had his struggles against both spin and pace.

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Apaj Patel ended the series with 15 wickets in three games whereas Mitchell Santner (13 wickets in one match) and Glenn Phillips had (8 wickets in 3 matches) had a monumental success as well.

The series defeat against New Zealand was India's first-ever at home after 12 years, having lost last one way back in 2012 against England.

India now must win four matches against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to punch their ticket to the final of the WTC.