20-over cricket, unlike the other two major formats of cricket, is a mode which experiences drastic swings in momentum. There have been numerous instances where the contest has changed its trajectory in the matter of a few deliveries. Even the strongest of teams possess the ability of faltering on an off day. It is often considered to be the toughest one for players to adapt due to its volatility.
Maintaining dominance across a whole five-match series requires a lot more than skill. More importantly, it hinges on the ability to capitalise on key moments of a contest. This is one of the major reasons why T20I cricket has been witness to only two 5-0 clean sweeps in the history of T20Is across a whole lot of five-match bilateral series that have been played up until now.
List of whitewashes in five-match T20I series in men’s cricket
New Zealand vs India (2020)
New Zealand got past the 200-run mark in the series-opening match to post 203/5 on the board with the help of three half-centuries via Colin Munro (59 off 42), Kane Williamson (51 off 26), and Ross Taylor (54 off 27). Each bowler from the Indian unit secured a wicket apiece other than Mohammed Shami (0/53 in 4 overs).
A 99-run stand between KL Rahul (56 off 27) and Virat Kohli (45 off 32) laid the foundation for Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 29-ball 58 to take his side over the line with an over to spare. Three of the Kiwis’ bowlers (Tim Southee, Mitchell Santner, Blair Tickner) conceded runs at a rate northwards of 11. India won by six wickets with as many deliveries to spare.
Coming to the second match, a couple of 33s from Martin Guptill (33 off 20) and Tim Seifert (33* off 26) were eventually why New Zealand could make it to 132/5 in their quota of 20 overs. Ravindra Jadeja (2/18 in 4 overs) was the pick of the bowlers. Run-scoring was not the easiest for the Indians, too, as they got over the line mainly due to an anchoring half-century by Rahul (57* off 50).
Tickner (0/34 in 3 overs) proved to be way too expensive as compared to his other teammates, all of whom had conceded at a rate below 10.00, as the hosts found themselves 0-2 down after two games in by going down by seven wickets with 15 deliveries to spare.
The venue shifted to Hamilton after the first two matches were played in Auckland. There were not a lot of contributions from any other batter barring Rohit Sharma (65 off 40) in the first innings of the game. This was the first time they were batting first in the series. Despite picking up three wickets, Hamish Bennett (3/54 in 4 overs) conceded at a much greater rate than his teammates.
The scores were tied after Kane Williamson (95 off 48) fell just short of a maiden T20I ton. This was also one of the rare occurrences of Jasprit Bumrah (0/45 in 4 overs) proving expensive. He conceded 17 runs in the Super Over to follow, but Rohit won India the game with sixes off the final couple of balls of India’s set.
Heading into the fourth game, a third T20I half-century for Manish Pandey (50* off 36) led India to a satisfactory 165/8 in Wellington. Shreyas Iyer (1 off 7) disappointed with his first single-digit score of the 20-over series. Spinners Mitchell Santner (1/26 in 4 overs) and Ish Sodhi (3/26 in 4 overs) were the pick of the Kiwi bowlers.
For the second consecutive time, the match had to be decided via a Super Over after Shardul Thakur (2/33 in 4 overs) emerged successful in defending seven off the final over. Tim Southee was unable to defend the 14-run target as the Men in Blue were one game away from whitewashing the Black Caps.
Despite losing only three wickets, India managed to put up only 163 on the board in the final game of the series. With Kohli being rested, Rohit, who had assumed the role of interim skipper, top-scored for his team with 60 off 41 before retiring hurt on the fourth ball of the 17th over. Scott Kuggeleijn (2/25 in 4 overs) and Bennett (1/21 in 4 overs) were impressive.
A top-order collapse left New Zealand 17/3 in 3.2 overs before Seifert (50 off 30) and Taylor (53 off 47) stitched a 99-run stand together. Bumrah’s 3/12 in 4 overs including a maiden over earned him the Player of the Match award. India narrowly won the game by seven runs.
Australia vs West Indies, 2025
West Indies’ innings in the first game of the T20I series was a tale of two halves. They were absolutely cruising till halfway through to the 16th over, having already scored 150-plus. A middle and lower middle-order meltdown meant they could only manage 189/8, with Roston Chase top-scoring with a 32-ball 60. Playing his first T20I in over 15 months, Ben Dwarshuis (4/36 in 4 overs) picked up a four-wicket haul. Quick-fire fifties from Cameron Green (51 off 26) and debutant Mitchell Owen (50 off 27) sealed the win. Gudakesh Motie (2/29 in 4 overs) was the most economical bowler across both teams. However, Australia won the game with three wickets and seven balls in the bank.
The second T20I, also played in Kingston, was Andre Russell’s final international match for West Indies. He blasted his way to 36 (15), with Brandon King (51 off 36) top-scoring for the hosts. After going wicketless in the first match, Adam Zampa returned figures of 3/29 in 4 overs. Australia were 42/2 in 5.3 overs at one point.
An unbeaten 131-run stand off just 59 deliveries between Josh Inglis (78* off 33) and Green (56* off 32) handed Australia the win. There were four West Indian bowlers (Alzarri Joseph, Motie, Roston Chase, Russell) who bowled at a 10-plus economy rate. Australia convincingly wrapped up the chase with eight wickets and 28 balls to spare.
Coming to the third showdown, an unbeaten maiden T20I ton from skipper Shai Hope (102* off 57) propelled West Indies to 214/4. He was involved in a 125-run opening stand with King (62 off 36). Sean Abbott returned splendid figures of 0/21 in 4 overs. Despite scoring 65 in the powerplay, the Aussies had lost three wickets. The fourth wicket fell by the ninth over.
Tim David played a ferocious knock (102* off 37) to take his team to victory. Akeal Hosein (0/39 in 4 overs) was the only West Indian to not concede 10-plus runs/over. The visitors claimed the win by six wickets and 23 balls remaining.
The fourth match of the series was played at Warner Park. Sherfane Rutherford’s 31 off 15 was the top-scorer for West Indies. All in all, there were nine players from the home team to have scored in double digits. However, no one really capitalised on their start. Abbott and Zampa dismissed five batters from the opposition.
They ended up conceding 115 in the 8 overs in the process. Mitchell Marsh was dismissed for a silver duck on the second ball of the second innings. Inglis departed on the first ball of the seventh over, but after scoring 51 off 30. Green remained unbeaten on 55 off 35, but the POTM accolade was provided to Glenn Maxwell (2 catches and 47 off 18). It was a final-over finish with Australia winning by three wickets and four balls left.
The final match was the third successive match played at St Kitts. Shimron Hetmyer (52 off 31) finally came good to get to his first fifty in the series after a sequence of underwhelming outings. West Indies got bowled out for 170 in 19.4 overs. Dwarshuis ended his four overs with a three-for while conceding 41 runs. Despite Australia being well ahead of the asking rate by the end of the first six overs, they found themselves four down already with 67 on the board.
Three 30s from Green (32 off 18), David (30 off 12), and Owen (37 off 17) ensured their team crossed the finish line. Having picked up just two wickets in four matches, Akeal Hosein (3/17 in 4 overs) put in his best performance in the final match. Despite this, the visitors secured the triumph with seven wickets down and three overs to go.
Abu Dhabi T10 is so challenging; huge achievement we won it: Tim David
IND vs SA 2025: Thousands queue for 1st T20I tickets, stampede-like situation reported at Barabati Stadium
Pakistan batter fined for ICC Code of Conduct breach
What is Virat Kohli’s record at Vizag in ODIs?
