After defeats in Bengaluru and Pune, in the third and final Test in Mumbai. The dead rubber begins at the Wankhede stadium on November 1. New Zealand already have a winning 2-0 lead and India will look to avoid a home whitewash.
The last time it happened was in 2000 when South Africa won the two-match series 2-0. In fact, India’s last whitewash overall came at the hands of New Zealand in 2020 when the Kiwis won the two-match series 2-0.
Earlier, there were talks that a sporting wicket would be prepared for the match, but now reports say that the Indian team management is not happy with the wicket and wants the pitch prepared as a rank turner. According to a report in Indian Express, a last-minute demand has been made to the curator to prepare a turning pitch despite India losing the previous game on a turner.
© X/BCCI
“It will be rank turner pitch. The team management has requested to prepare a pitch which can help spinners from day 1. It seems the team wants to go on a tried and tested formula,” said a source as per the report.
The Mumbai Test is also important for a different reason. Winning it is necessary for India’s hopes to qualify for the World Test Championship Final. India still top the table but their lead has been cut down. If they are knocked out of the top two positions by the cutoff, they miss out. The two defeats have caused huge dents in their campaign.
© X/BCCI
India’s next is a five-match one in Australia that begins on November 22. India need to win well in order to secure a place in the WTC Final. Or else, they will be dependent on other results. India have played the WTC Final in 2021 and 2023, losing both times to New Zealand and Australia respectively.
was India’s first ever in Tests on home soil. They also lost a home Test series after 12 years and ended their record 18 consecutive home series winning streak. The first Test defeat in Bengaluru saw them be bowled out for less than 50 at home for the first time ever and also lose a home Test to the Kiwis after 36 years. No wonder, Rohit Sharma’s side is desperate to turn things around in Mumbai and a rank turner may help them to that.