New Zealand eye a rare milestone, India's 24-year long record under threat

New Zealand's inspiring 2-0 victory in the three-match Test series has put India's 24-year-long record in jeopardy. India are in real danger of conceding a rare 0-3 series defeat against the Black Caps. It is also the first time New Zealand have been able to manage a Test series win against India at home. With 0-2 down in the series, there is every possibility to consider that India may be on the brink of an embarrassing test series defeat.

India's last clean sweep in Test cricket at home came in the year 2000 against South Africa when they were hammered left, right, and center by a margin of 2-0. Since then, India has been rock solid at home and after 2012, the Indian soil turned out to be a graveyard for the visiting teams. But the shocking Test series defeat against New Zealand has through the Indian side under the bus. Latham and his men are on the verge of becoming the first team to whitewash India at home in a Test series after 24 long years.

India's woes ahead of the final NZ Test

New Zealand could be the first team after South Africa to hand a brutal test series whitewash to India since the year 2000. The big guns of India have failed to fire. Bumrah has failed to replicate the magic with the ball that he is so famously renowned for in both Tests. Moreover, Rohit and Virat's performance has been under the scanner and it has sure been a matter of concern ahead of the Australian tour. 

Washington Sundar's bowling performance in Pune offered a degree of relief, and it will be interesting to observe how the all-rounder performs in the final Test, should he be given the opportunity. The embarrassing Test series defeat at home has also put India's WTC qualification scenario in jeopardy. India will now have to win four out of their last six matches, five of them would be against Australia down under. What could have been a smooth ride is now turning out to be a huge nightmare for the Men in Blue. Rohit & Co. have their backs against the wall and will need to stage a comeback of sorts to end the series 1-2.