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India’s iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar has urged for a deep introspection following India’s 0-3 Test series loss to New Zealand at home.

The unexpected clean sweep marked a historic defeat, as India faced its first-ever whitewash in a three-match Test series on home soil. 

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What went wrong for India in the Final Match?

India, who had aimed to secure a consolation victory in the series finale at Wankhede Stadium, crumbled under pressure.

Chasing a target of just 147, India’s top order faced yet another collapse. Within the first 50 deliveries, the team had lost five wickets for only 29 runs, reflecting the same struggles they faced throughout the series.

The rest of the batting lineup failed to hold ground, ultimately succumbing just an hour after lunch on the third day.

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What did Sachin Tendulkar say about the whitewash?

In a thought-provoking social media post, Tendulkar called for introspection, questioning whether India’s disastrous 0-3 result was due to inadequate preparation, poor shot selection, or a lack of match practice.

He posted, "Losing 3-0 at home is a tough pill to swallow, and it calls for introspection. Was it lack of preparation, was it poor shot selection, or was it lack of match practice? ".

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Were there any positives for India in the series?

Despite the heavy loss, Tendulkar acknowledged a few bright spots in India’s otherwise disappointing series. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant stood out, showing grit against New Zealand’s formidable bowling attack.

Gill scored 90 runs in the first innings, while Pant scored 64 off 57 balls in the second innings of the final Test. Over the series, Pant emerged as India’s leading scorer with 261 runs, including three half-centuries.

Tendulkar also commended New Zealand for their outstanding performance, noting that a 3-0 sweep in India is a remarkable achievement. This series marked the first time the Black Caps won three successive away Tests.

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Saurav Goyal Photo

Saurav Goyal is a content producer for The Sporting News’ India edition.