India suffered a shocking defeat in the second Test against New Zealand in Pune. With this, the hosts also suffered a Test series defeat at home after 12 years. New Zealand showed clinical performance in the ongoing Test series and dominated India at their home ground. With this, Kiwi also won their first–ever Test series in India. Now, New Zealand also have a chance to white-wash India with a win in the third Test, set to be played from November 1 in Mumbai.
India received a big setback ahead of their tour to Australia next month and their chances to qualify for the World Test Championship final at Lords are also at stake. Now, having lost the series already, India eye to prevent 0-3 whitewash in a home Test series. The third and the final Test will be played at Wankhede Stadium from November 1 to 5. In the following listicle, we will have a look at three things that India need to do to save a series clean sweep against New Zealand.
Things India need to do to save a series clean sweep against New Zealand
Stability in batting order
One of the reasons for the series loss for India is failure in the batting order. The hosts were bundled out for just 46 runs in the first Test. After that, India failed to score big in both innings of the second Test in Pune. Even after decent partnership between two batters, the rest of the batting lineup couldn’t continue the momentum as India kept losing wickets at back-to-back intervals. The hosts need to make big partnerships and get contributions from the middle order in order to save a series clean sweep.
Take wickets at regular intervals
India also failed to dominate New Zealand with their bowling in both Test matches. The hosts couldn’t take early breakthroughs as New Zealand got a good start with the bat in the last two Test matches. The Indian bowlers were also seen facing issues in taking wickets of tailenders in the ongoing series and will have to find proper plan and strategies to take regular wicket and have an upper hand against New Zealand in the third Test.
Senior players need to step up
Standing on the verge of a clean sweep at home, India will hope on their senior and key players including skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to step up in the third Test. Kohli and Rohit haven’t been able to give their best in the ongoing series and will look to score big in the upcoming Test. On the other hand, Ashwin and Jadeja, who have been the backbone of the dominance of the Indian Test team at home, will be looking to step up again and save India from a humiliating series sweep.