New Delhi: Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori called New Zealand’s 3-0 Test series win on Indian soil as his nation’s greatest achievement while his compatriot Ross Taylor said that he did not think of a clean sweep even “in our wildest dreams”. The Kiwis humiliated India in their own backyard after India lost the third Test by 25 runs in Mumbai on Sunday, making it the first instance since 1933, of giving away a Test series with a 3-0 margin
New Zealand arrived in India after a 0-2 thrashing by Sri Lanka which is currently in the transition period. Owing to a groin injury, the Blackcaps were also missing the services of their batting star Kane Williamson. The likes of Vettori, Taylor, and even Williamson himself reacted to New Zealand’s massive triumph against the Asian giants.
“The expectation for any touring team that goes to India on these types of wickets is that it’s going to be incredibly difficult. We understand the challenge and in a lot of ways it’s just how are you going to compete against them.
“… given the history with two Test match wins in almost 80 years and a lot of trying. You have to go back to the great Sir Richard Hadlee’s era, and he could only get one win. So for this team to come here and get that first one and then to win a series is probably New Zealand cricket’s greatest,” spin great Vettori was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Even Taylor, a former batting ace, was in awe of the Kiwis after the historic achievement. “I think the way they played throughout the whole series… I think we hoped more than thought we were going to win. But a clean sweep – think it still hasn’t quite sunk in among the New Zealand public, probably for the players as well.
“After winning the first Test (in Bengaluru), it gave the team as well as the public some belief, but I don’t think even in our wildest dreams we imagined a clean sweep and such a convincing performance from Tom (Latham), Gary (Stead) and the boys.
History from brothers – Williamson
Kane Williamson, who was named in the squad for India Tests, stayed back home to recover from his groin injury that he sustained during the Sri Lanka tour. Even he shared a congratulatory message for his teammates after they swept the series against India. Williamson shared pictures on his Instagram handle, from the team’s celebration, and captioned the post, “History from brothers! Incredible few weeks.”
Here’s the post by Williamson –
View this post on Instagram
He was ruled out of the third and final Test and couldn’t be part of the series. In his absence, Will Young took the number 3 batting role and excelled as he became the Player of the Series. Tom Latham too shone with his captaincy skills as he was hailed as the only skipper to have done the unthinkable against India.
