3 times India were whitewashed in an ODI series

After being blanked 0-5 in the T20Is, hosts New Zealand exacted sweet revenge from India with a thumping 3-0 victory in the one-dayers. Having clinched the series following impressive wins at Hamilton and Auckland, the Kiwis gave India a dose of their own medicine by inflicting a whitewash with a five-wicket triumph at Mount Maunganui.

Looking to salvage some pride, India posted a decent 296/7 on the board batting first. A century from the in-form KL Rahul and a fifty from Shreyas Iyer propelled India to a reasonable score after they faltered to 62 for 3 at the start of the innings. Manish Pandey, finally getting a chance, also chipped in with 42 from 48.

New Zealand, however, always held the upper hand as Martin Guptill (66) and Henry Nicholls (80) featured in a century stand for the opening wicket. Although, they had a mini-hiccup in the middle, Colin de Grandhomme blasted them past the winning line with a 21-ball half-century to complete Kiwis’ clean sweep.

Here’s a look at the three occasions India have been whitewashed in ODIs. (in a series of 3 for more games when all matches have been completed)

#1 vs West Indies 1983-84 (0-5)

Sir Gordon Greenidge hooking one to cow corner

At the peak of their powers, West Indies blanked India 0-5 in the latter’s den. The whitewash came only a few months after Kapil’s Devils had crushed the Windies to lift the World Cup at Lord’s. Kapil Dev was the captain during the series at home as well, but the results were in complete contrast.

Also see – IPL 2020 Teams

Debutant Roger Harper’s three-for and Malcolm Marshall’s 2 for 12 restricted India to 176 in the first ODI of the series at Srinagar on October 13, 1983. Kris Srikkanth’s 91-ball 40 was India’s only knock of resistance. However, legendary Windies openers Desmond Haynes (55 not out) and Sir Gordon Greenidge (44 not out) made a mockery of the target. West Indies won by 28 runs (revised target) after dust storm and bad light cut short their innings.

Despite Ravi Shastri’s defiant 65, India only managed to post 214 in their second game at Vadodara on November 9. West Indies chased down the target with four wickets to spare as Greenidge carried on his good form with a fluent 63. The Windies clinched the series with a thumping eight-wicket triumph at Indore on December 1. This time, Mohinder Amarnath made a defiant unbeaten 55, and Ashok Malhotra contributed 40. However, Greenidge was too good for India again, easing to 96 from 127 balls. Haynes (54) and Sir Viv Richards (49 not out) chipped in as the visitors chased down 241 with ease.

In the 4th ODI at Jamshedpur on December 7, blazing hundreds from Greenidge (115) and Richards (149 from 99) led West Indies to 333 for 8. In response, Sunil Gavaskar made 83 and Malhotra 65. However, India still fell way short of the target by 104 runs. The whitewash was completed with a six-wicket victory at Guwahati on December 17. India managed only 178 for 7 batting first, and debutant Sir Richie Richardson’s 46 eased them to a 0-5 win.

Note: All statistics as of February 12, 2020

#2 vs West Indies 1988-89 (5-0)

Desmond Haynes was a constant menace for India

West Indies again dismantled India 5-0 when the latter visited the Caribbean in 1988-89. This time, Dilip Vengsarkar was the captain, but the result was the same as almost six years earlier under a different captain.

The Windies began with a 50-run victory at Bridgetown on March 7, 1989. Desmond Haynes’ unbeaten 117 led the hosts to 248, batting first. In reply, India could only manage 198 for 8. Richards starred with the ball, claiming 3 for 47. In the second ODI in Port of Spain on March 9, Richards again shone with 4 for 42 as India crumbled to 148 batting first. Greenidge’s 70 eased Windies to a six-wicket win.

West Indies registered another six-wicket triumph in Port of Spain on March 11. Despite Navjot Sidhu’s 50, India managed to put only 192 on the board. Ian Bishop wrecked the Indians with 4 for 33. Keith Arthurton’s unbeaten 76 saw the visitors chased down the target with ease. This match marked the debut of Robin Singh, who was dismissed for 3.

Greenidge’s 117 led West Indies to another comprehensive eight-wicket win in the 4th ODI at St John’s on March 18. Batting first, India were restricted to 237 for 8 despite skipper Vengsarkar’s 88. Bishop again claimed four wickets to keep India under control.

Haynes and Greenidge featured in a brilliant 185-run stand in the final game at Georgetown on March 21. While Haynes blazed his way to an unbeaten 152 from 126 balls, Greenidge contributed 80. West Indies finished on 289 for 2, and then restricted India to 188 for 8 to complete the clean sweep. Richards again starred with the ball with 3 for 41.

#3 vs New Zealand 2019-20 (3-0)

Ross Taylor was the player of the series

31 years after the embarrassment in West Indies, India were whitewashed 3-0 by the Kiwis in New Zealand. Coming at the back of the hosts being thumped 0-5 in the T20Is, it was a brilliant comeback.

New Zealand began the series by chasing down a record 348 at Hamilton. Ross Taylor (109 not out) starred in yet another massive chase for New Zealand with excellent support from Henry Nicholls (78) and Tom Latham (69). New Zealand’s win meant Shreyas Iyer’s maiden ODI hundred went in vain.

Henry Nicholls anchored the chase for New Zealand to complete the whitewash

In the second one-dayer at Auckland, the Kiwis recovered from 197 for 8 to post 273. Taylor again starred with a freakish 73 not out while debutant Kyle Jamieson contributed an unbeaten 25 from 24. Despite Ravindra Jadeja’s 55 and Navdeep Saini’s 45, India fell short by 22 runs.

With the series lost, India went to Mount Maunganui hoping for better luck. Lokesh Rahul’s sublime 112 took them to a challenging 296 batting first. However, Guptill’s 66 and Nicholls’ 80 gave New Zealand the upper hand before de Grandhomme crippled India’s faint hopes with an unbeaten 58 from 28, and took New Zealand to 3-0 series win in some style.