India vs New Zealand, third Test: Patel scores 11 as India loses by 25 runs | Cricket News

Mumbai-born Ajaz Patel takes 11 wickets as New Zealand win by 25 runs to clinch the series 3-0 at the Wankhede Stadium.

New Zealand became only the second team in the history of Test cricket to gloss over a home series for India after winning their third Test by 25 runs against the hosts in Mumbai.

Needing 147 runs to win the final and salvage some pride from losing the first two Test matches and the series, India had to settle for 121 runs on the third day of play at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

In its 90-year Test history, India suffered a home series back in 2000 that was glossed over by South Africa.

Mumbai-born New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel was named player of the match for his 11 wickets in both innings. The left-arm bowler's final wicket fell when he dismissed Washington Sundar, triggering wild cheers from the visitors.

For India, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant put up a brief resistance against the New Zealand spin attack by scoring 64 runs off 57 balls.

India captain Rohit Sharma admitted the team “didn't play (our) best cricket” during the series and praised the visitors for winning their first Test series in the country.

“It is never easy to accept defeat but we have to do it,” Rohit said after the game.

“We didn’t put enough runs on the board – we failed as a batting unit.”

The 37-year-old scored 91 runs in his six innings across the three games and admitted his attacking approach didn't work in difficult batting conditions.

“You have to be foresighted and proactive (when pursuing the goal),” he said, commenting on his shot. “If it (the approach) doesn’t work, it doesn’t look good.”

Rohit's first-class partner and leading Indian batsman Virat Kohli had a similarly disappointing series with a total of 93 runs in the three matches.

India's next Test cricket series will take place in Australia. The first of five games begins on November 22nd.

Rohit said he wasn't at his best in the home series but knew what he had to do.

Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Tom Latham said he was thrilled to lead his team to a historic series win.

“We are very happy to finally do it (win the series) here in Mumbai,” Latham said in the post-match broadcast.

When New Zealand won the first game by eight wickets in Bengaluru on October 20, it was the visitors' first Test match win in India since 1988.

Six days later they sealed the series in Pune, winning the second Test by 113 runs as India's batting faltered on a spin-friendly wicket.

Latham called it an “all-around great team effort” across the three games.

“The ability to adapt to any terrain meant different guys got up at different times.”

The visitors' top batter Will Young, who played in the one-down position in the absence of injured former captain Kane Williamson, was named player of the series for his 244 runs in the three Tests.