Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir reflected on the infamous home series whitewash against New Zealand in late 2024. The Rohit Sharma-led side endured a crushing 0-3 defeat, marking India’s first home series loss since 2012. The three-match series was Gambhir’s second red-ball assignment since succeeding Rahul Dravid.
With India’s strong home record, a recent 2-0 win over Bangladesh, and New Zealand missing star batter Kane Williamson, the Men in Blue were heavy favorites. However, the series began disastrously, with India bowled out for just 46 in the first innings of the opening Test in Bengaluru. Despite some resistance, they fell behind 0-1.
The second Test in Pune offered no redemption, as India’s collapse sealed the series with a game to spare. The whitewash was confirmed after a narrow defeat at the Wankhede, putting India’s World Test Championship (WTC) ambitions at risk.
“New Zealand Loss A Lesson Not To Be Forgotten”- Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir admitted it is hard for him to move past the sweep and views it as a lesson to prevent similar setbacks in the future.
“If I am being honest, and speak from the heart, I don’t think, that in my coaching tenure, I can ever forget that, and I should not forget that. I have told this to the boys as well, it is important to look forward, but sometimes it is also important to remember the past as well.”
“Everyone thought that we would roll over New Zealand. In that dressing room, we need to keep reminding that New Zealand happened,” Gambhir told Jio Hotstar during the second Test between India and West Indies in Delhi.
Team India ultimately missed out on a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) finals after suffering a 1-3 series loss in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series in Australia, following their defeat at home to New Zealand.
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