The New Zealand whitewash also marked the end of India’s dominant Test era, which had been safeguarded by leaders like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma for over a decade. The loss cost a once well-settled Indian side a place in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 final. The latest setback against South Africa could similarly jeopardize India’s berth in the marquee one-off Test championship clash, depending on upcoming results.
