Beating India in India is no easy task, but New Zealand pulled it off against all odds during the emphatic 3-0 win in 2024. This was the first series defeat for India at home since 2012, and the first ever clean sweep in India in a three-match series.

It was a complete series for New Zealand, where they outplayed India in all departments of the game. The conditions were pace-friendly in the first Test in Bengaluru, and the visitors bowled India out for 46. In the following two Tests in Pune and Wankhede, respectively, the ball turned square, but New Zealand adjusted well, courtesy of Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Tom Latham. When India came out to bat, Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner left the Indian batting in shambles.

Not many teams pull off such a clinical display away from home, which is why the former New Zealand coach Gary Stead rated it above New Zealand's historic WTC win in 2021. Interestingly, New Zealand had beaten India to claim the championship.

"Winning the inaugural World Test Championship was something very special to the team, and making World Cup finals and ICC event finals as well. Yes, we didn’t quite get over the line in those but still, to get there against some quality teams around the world has been fantastic.

"But probably the greatest achievement I think with this group was winning 3-0 in India. I think that’s probably the hardest thing to do when you consider things around the world and things you’re going to try and achieve, and for us to win all the three Tests will be something that’s probably right up there with the best achievements with this team in history," Stead told Arvind Kalyana Krishnan on Cricblog.

The defeat to New Zealand was also a setback to India's hopes of playing the third consecutive WTC final. India lost the following series to Australia and were knocked out of the final race.

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