After a historic T20I series win, India slumped to one of their worst ODI series defeats against New Zealand on the road.

While they had made it a habit of recovering from deficits in ODI series in the recent past, the absence of some big names coupled with uncharacteristic performances from top players in the playing XI made sure India had no such opportunities to bounce back in the recently-concluded ODI series vs New Zealand.

For the first time in 31 years, India were whitewashed in an ODI series with 3 or more matches. This is only the 3rd time of such an instance in India's ODI cricket history.

India vs New Zealand, 3rd ODI: Highlights | Report

While India had been whitewashed (in 2 match series) 4 times before the 1983 World Cup, the instance of oppositions clean sweeping India in ODIs had become a rarity since the landmark win in England.

There had been instances of India not winning a single match in bilateral ODI series in the past. However, in all those instances, India escaped whitewash due to no-result or abandonment -- 0-4 (5) vs New Zealand in 2013/14, 0-2 (3) vs South Africa in 2013-14, 0-3 (5) vs England in 2011, 0-4 (5) vs South Africa in 2006/7, 0-3 (4) vs Sri Lanka in 1997, 0-2 (3) vs England in 1996, 0-2 (3) vs Pakistan in 1989-90.

Incidentally, it was India's World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev who 1st supervised a 5-0 whitewash in an ODI series. Right after the World Cup, a Clive Llyod-led West Indies side clean swept a 5-match ODI series in India in October-December 1983.

Dilip Vengsarkar became the 2nd India captain after Kapil Dev to be in charge of the team in a 5-0 ODI series whitewash in 1989. A Vivian Richards-led side comfortably outclassed India in all 5 matches of the series at home in March 1989.

After 3 decades, Virat Kohli joined the unwanted list. He is only the 3rd India captain after Kapil and Vengsarkar to oversee a ODI series whitewash (3 or more matches).

India's performances in the recently-concluded series was far from impressive. In the absence of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, ranked No. 1 on ODI charts, failed to step up and deliver.

Captain Kohli's poor returns with the bat -- 75 runs in 3 matches -- was one of the major reasons why India struggled to set and chase totals over the last week.

Their new opening combination of Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw failed to click in the absence of the senior duo. While Mayank managed 36 runs in 3 ODIs, Prithvi failed to convert starts into big knocks and finished the series with just 84 runs.

While fielding woes have remained a constant since the start of India's home season last year, Jasprit Bumrah's dip in form has not helped their cause.

Bumrah went wicket-less in an ODI series for the 1st time in his career as he gave away 164 runs in 30 overs without picking up a wicket.

Having lost the momentum that they gained with the T20I series win, India will head into a 2-match Test series, starting February 21.