First in 55 years, Rohit Sharma joins an ‘unwanted’ list after New Zealand loss | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Team India faced a 26-run defeat in the third Test match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, resulting in a humiliating 0-3 series whitewash by New Zealand.
This marked a historic moment as New Zealand became the first cricket team to achieve a complete series victory against India on Indian territory.
In 2024, India have played 11 Test matches, with four losses occurring on home grounds.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma has matched an unwanted record previously held by MAK Pataudi for most home Test losses in a calendar year. The record stands at four defeats.
In 1969, under Pataudi’s leadership, India experienced one defeat against New Zealand and three against Australia.
Rohit’s first setback as India’s captain in 2024 came against England in the Hyderabad Test, played from January 25 to 28.
Although India secured victories in six subsequent Tests, they unexpectedly lost three consecutive matches against New Zealand.
The defeats included an 8-wicket loss in Bengaluru, followed by a 113-run defeat in Pune, and a 26-run loss in Mumbai.
Rohit’s total of five Test losses on home soil places him second in the list of Indian captains with most home defeats.
MAK Pataudi leads this list with nine home Test losses, more than any other Indian captain.
In comparison, former captain Virat Kohli’s record shows only three Test losses in India during his tenure.
Following this disappointing home series, India’s next challenge is the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia.
