New Zealand wins 3rd test by 25 runs to sweep series against India 3-0

MUMBAI, India (AP) — New Zealand secured an historic 3-0 series victory in India as it won a dramatic third test by 25 runs on Sunday.

Ajaz Patel took 6-57 to bowl the Black Caps to victory as it became the first visiting side to complete a clean sweep in a minimum three-test series against India.

Glenn Phillips provided strong support, picking up 3-42 as India crashed to 121 all out in 29.1 overs shortly after lunch on the third day.

Rishabh Pant was the lone resistance for the hosts with 64 off 57 balls, including nine fours and a six, but his counter-attacking half century went in vain as India lost its last three wickets in four balls.

India’s previous worst showing was a 2-0 loss to Hansie Cronje’s South Africa in 2000 in a two-test series. It last loss in a home series was to England — 2-1 in a four-test series — in 2012.

Patel’s six wickets took his tally to 25 at the Wankhede Stadium in four innings. He bowled a record 10-119 here in 2021, finishing that game with 14 wickets.

On Sunday, Patel finished with 11-160 to go past England’s Ian Botham who had taken 22 wickets at the same ground and was previously the most successful visiting bowler at any venue in India.

New Zealand won the first two tests in Bengaluru and Pune by eight wickets and 113 runs, respectively, registering a landmark first test-series win in India, but an even greater achievement was to come.

It was the first instance of New Zealand winning three tests in a series home or away, and the first instance of winning three successive away tests.

“We are ecstatic. Looking back at the start of the series, to be now in this position, the boys have done a fantastic job over the last three tests. We understood how India play and just tried to do our best. Our players chipped in at different times through the series,” said Tom Latham, New Zealand’s winning captain.

Chasing 147 runs to avoid an unprecedented home series whitewash, India stumbled to lunch at 92-6 with only Pant’s half-century proving a spanner in the works for New Zealand.

Pant put on 42 off 53 balls for the sixth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (6) to give India some hope of reaching the target after it had earlier slumped to 29-5.

Skipper Rohit Sharma's poor series continued as he was caught for 11, going after Henry with another ill-judged pull shot that was caught at midwicket.

Patel bowled Shubman Gill for one, the batter leaving the ball only for it to knock back his off stump.

The Sunday crowd at the Wankhede Stadium was stunned when Virat Kohli was caught at slip for one in the following over.

Phillips then sent back Yashasvi Jaiswal for five, out lbw. Sarfaraz Khan (one) hit a full toss straight to the square leg fielder as India collapsed.

Pant then led India’s recovery with some unorthodox shots, while Jadeja was watchful for the most part.

Their partnership pushed India back into contention, before Jadeja was dismissed at short leg for six off 22 balls.

After lunch, Pant took India past 100 and remained key to the end-result for both sides.

In the 22nd over, he was given out caught behind via television review. He seemed to have edged Patel, but the on-field umpire turned it down. New Zealand captain Tom Latham reviewed and the replays showed there was a deflection off the bat on to the pad which looped up and was caught by Tom Blundell.

Pant walked back dejected, after hitting nine fours and a six, in what had looked a match-turning 35-run partnership with Sundar.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Sundar added 15 runs as scoring dried up, before Phillips struck twice in the 29th over.

The allrounder had Ashwin caught behind trying a reverse sweep, with DRS detecting a faint glove touch. Next ball, Phillips bowled Akash Deep to leave India on the precipice.

Patel then created history as he bowled Sundar two balls later – India had collapsed losing its last four wickets for 15 runs.

It was the second-lowest total defended by New Zealand to win a test after 137 runs against England in Wellington in 1978.

“It is not something easily digestible,” said India skipper Rohit Sharma. "We didn’t play our best cricket and we have to accept it. I didn’t do well as captain and as batter. We made a lot of mistakes. They (New Zealand) did so much better than us throughout the series.”

Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja picked a second five-for in the test as New Zealand was bowled out for 174 runs in its second innings.

The Kiwis had closed day two at 171-9 and could only add another three runs from 14 deliveries. Jadeja dismissed Patel for eight, out caught, for his 15th five-wicket return in tests.

Jadeja finished with match figures of 10-120, his third ten-wicket haul in his 77 tests.

New Zealand scored 235 runs in its first innings, while India took a slender 28-run lead with 263 runs in reply.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's players celebrate their team's win against India at the end of their third and final Test cricket match at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

New Zealand's Aijaz Patel, left, celebrates the dismissal of India's Washington Sundar during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

New Zealand's players celebrates the dismissal of India's Rishab Pant during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

New Zealand's Aijaz Patel dives to field a ball during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips, second right without cap, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of India's Akash Deep during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

India's Akash Deep is is bowled out by New Zealand's Glenn Phillips during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips, center, celebrates the dismissal of India's Akash Deep during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips, second left, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of India's Akash Deep, right, during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

New Zealand's Aijaz Patel celebrates the dismissal of India's Virat Kohli during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

India's Virat Kohli, third right, walks off the field as New Zealand's players celebrates his dismissal during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

India's Rishab Pant plays a shot during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips, right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of India's Yashasvi Jaiswal during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

India's Rishab Pant plays a shot during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

New Zealand's Aijaz Patel bowls a delivery during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

India's Rishab Pant raises his bat as he celebrates after scoring fifty runs during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

India's Rishab Pant watches the ball after playing a shot during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

New Zealand's Aijaz Patel, right, jumps up in the air as he celebrates the wicket of India's Ravindra Jadeja during the third day of the third cricket test match between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The FBI now says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an “act of terrorism” when he drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year’s revelers early Wednesday, killing 15 people. The driver had posted videos on social media hours before the carnage saying he was inspired by the Islamic State group and expressing a desire to kill, President Joe Biden said.

The FBI identified the driver as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar.

Officials have not yet released the names of the people killed in the attack, but their families and friends have started sharing their stories. About 30 people were injured.

Here is the latest:

“The city of New Orleans, we’re resilient,” New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell said.

“The confidence is there to reopen Bourbon Street to the public before game time today,” Cantrell added.

The FBI obtained surveillance video of Shamsud Din Jabbar placing the explosive devices where they were found, said Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counter-terrorism division.

The FBI also found “no definitive link” between the New Orleans attack and the Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas.

The FBI has received more than 400 tips from the public, some from New Orleans and others from other states, Christopher Raia, deputy assistant director of the FBI’s counter-terrorism division, said at a news conference on Thursday.

U.S. President Joe Biden said Wednesday evening the FBI was looking into whether an explosion outside a Las Vegas hotel owned by President-elect Donald Trump was connected to the New Orleans attack.

Fireworks and camp fuel canisters were found in a Tesla Cybertruck that blew up outside the Trump International Hotel early Wednesday, killing a suspect inside the vehicle.

The person who died in the explosion was an active-duty U.S. Army soldier who spent time at the base formerly known as Fort Bragg, three U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Thursday. The officials also spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose details of his service.

The truck explosion came hours after a driver, 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, rammed a truck into a crowd in New Orleans. Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran, also spent time at Fort Bragg, a massive Army base in North Carolina that is home to Army special forces command. An official told the AP that there is no apparent overlap in their assignments there.

The investigation so far has not shown the incidents are related, and authorities don’t think the men knew each other, two law enforcement officials said. The officials were not authorized to discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

▶ Read more about the Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion

The FBI says it recovered the black banner of the Islamic State group from the truck that smashed into New Year’s partygoers. The investigation is expected to look in part at any support or inspiration that driver Shamsud-Din Jabbar may have drawn from that violent Middle East-based group or from any of at least 19 affiliated groups around the world.

Routed from its self-proclaimed caliphate in Syria and Iraq by a U.S. military-led coalition more than five years ago, IS has focused on seizing territory in the Middle East more than on staging massive al-Qaida-style attacks on the West.

But in its home territory, IS has welcomed any chance to behead Americans and other foreigners who come within its reach. The main group at peak strength claimed a handful of coordinated operations targeting the West, including a 2015 Paris plot that killed 130 people. It has had success, although abated in recent years, in inspiring people around the world who are drawn to its ideology to carry out ghastly attacks on innocent civilians.

▶ Read more about IS and what attacks it has inspired

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry will be joined at the news conference by officials from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Louisiana State Police and the New Orleans Police Department.

The conference is scheduled to begin around 10:15 a.m. CST.

“The Superdome is completely secure,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said on Fox News. “Again, the FBI continues to pour resources into the state.”

Landry said he plans to attend Thursday afternoon’s college football playoff game between the University of Georgia and the University of Notre Dame.

“We need not let fear paralyze us,” Landry added. “That’s the problem in this country. When we do that, the terrorists win.”

ROME — A telegram of condolences, addressed to Archbishop Gregory Aymond, said Francis was saddened to learn of the attack in New Orleans and was spiritually close to the city.

Francis “prays for healing and consolation of the injured and bereaved,” said the telegram, which was signed by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Separately, Italian President Sergio Mattarella also sent condolences to President Joe Biden, whom he will see during Biden’s visit to Rome next week, saying all of Italy was mourning the loss of life.

“At this time of sorrow for the American people, I would like to reaffirm the firm resolve of the Italian Republic to oppose in the strongest terms all forms of terrorism, on the basis of those values of civilization, democracy and respect for human life that have always been shared with the United States,” he said in a statement.

The College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame was postponed by a day because of the truck attack, which unfolded about a mile away.

The game, originally scheduled for 7:45 p.m. CST at the 70,000-seat Superdome on Wednesday, was pushed back to 3 p.m. Thursday. The winner advances to the Jan. 9 Orange Bowl against Penn State.

“Public safety is paramount,” Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said at a media briefing alongside federal, state and local officials, including Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “All parties all agree that it’s in the best interest of everybody and public safety that we postpone the game.”

The decision to postpone the game meant numerous traveling fans with tickets would not be able to attend. Ticket prices online plummeted in some cases to less than $25 as fans with plans to depart on Thursday tried to unload them.

The Superdome was on lockdown for security sweeps on Wednesday morning. Both teams spent most of the day in their hotels, holding meetings in ballrooms.

▶ Read more about the decision to postpone the Sugar Bowl

Officials have not yet released the names of the 15 people killed in the New Orleans New Year’s Day truck attack, but their families and friends have started sharing their stories.

Here’s a look at some of what we know:

▶ Read more about the victims of the New Orleans truck attack

Authorities say the driver of a pickup truck sped through a crowd of pedestrians gathered in New Orleans’ bustling French Quarter district early on New Year’s Day, killing at least 15 people and injuring about 30 others. The suspect was killed in a shootout with police.

The FBI is investigating the attack as an act of terrorism and said it does not believe the driver acted alone.

Wednesday’s attack unfolded on Bourbon Street, known worldwide as one of the largest destinations for New Year’s Eve parties. Large crowds had also gathered in the city ahead of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl, which had been scheduled for later Wednesday at the nearby Superdome. The game was postponed until Thursday afternoon following the attack.

▶ Catch up on what we know about the New Orleans truck attack

Security and bomb sniffing dogs check vehicles as they enter the Superdome parking garage ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Security with bomb sniffing dogs patrol the area around the Superdome ahead of the Sugar Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff game, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Military personnel walk down Bourbon street, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

A state trooper stands by New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon streets, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

EDS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT - Emergency personnel work the scene on Bourbon Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon Street, Wednesday Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The FBI investigates the area on Orleans St and Bourbon Street by St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter where a suspicious package was detonated after a person drove a truck into a crowd earlier on Bourbon Street on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Matthias Hauswirth of New Orleans prays on the street near the scene where a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon streets, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

A bouquet of flowers stands at the intersection of Bourbon Street and Canal Street during the investigation after a pickup truck rammed into a crowd of revelers early on New Year's Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

An officer walks along Conti Street after a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon streets, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Law enforcement officers stand behind a SWAT vehicle near a location in Houston, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, where police personnel investigate the place suspected to be associated with an attacker in a deadly rampage in New Orleans. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Investigators work the scene after a person drove a vehicle into a crowd earlier on Canal and Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Neighbors stand and watch outside the police lines surrounding a location in Houston, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, where police personnel investigate the place suspected to be associated with an attacker in a deadly rampage in New Orleans. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Police officers stand near the scene where a vehicle drove into a crowd on New Orleans' Canal and Bourbon streets, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Neighbors embrace as they stand outside the police lines surrounding a location in Houston, Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, where police personnel investigate the place suspected to be associated with an attacker in a deadly rampage in New Orleans. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)