New Zealand Captain Tom Latham and senior batter Daryl Mitchell expressed their joy over New Zealan’d emphatic win over India. New Zealand made history by sweeping India 3-0 in their recent Test series. This victory was sealed with a 25-run win in the third Test in Mumbai.
“We’re pretty happy….”: Tom Latham
It marked the first time India has been whitewashed in a home Test series of three or more matches. Captain Tom Latham expressed his excitement, stating he was “very, very ecstatic” about the achievement.
Latham emphasized the team’s aggressive approach with the bat as a key factor in their success. He noted that they aimed to be “a little bit more aggressive” throughout the series. “We spoke about it after each Test match,” Latham said. “We were trying to back it up, and I guess to finally do it here in Mumbai, on a completely different surface, one that would challenge us certainly with bat and ball – yeah, we’re pretty happy.”
Tom Latham Lauds Team Effort
Latham praised the “all-round, great team effort” that helped New Zealand secure this historic win. He highlighted how different players contributed at various times during the series. The fast bowlers and Rachin Ravindra set the tone in the first Test in Bengaluru. Then, Mitchell Santner’s impressive 13-wicket haul clinched the series in Pune.
“We wanted to come over here and try to fire a few shots… and I certainly think we’ve done that,” Latham added. The captain noted that their proactive batting strategy paid off against a strong Indian side. He acknowledged that understanding how India plays was crucial for their success.
Daryl Mitchell’s Key Contributions
Daryl Mitchell played a vital role in New Zealand’s victory. He scored a solid 82 runs in New Zealand’s first innings total of 235 after they opted to bat first. This was Mitchell’s first half-century of the tour, having struggled to score more than 20 runs in his previous innings. His performance was crucial for building a competitive total.
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Mitchell also excelled in the field, taking eight catches across the three Tests. “It’s something you dream of,” he said about achieving this success against a world-class Indian team. His contributions with both bat and gloves were instrumental in securing the series win.
Will Young Shines Despite Williamson’s Absence
New Zealand faced challenges without their regular captain Kane Williamson, who missed all three Tests due to injury. Will Young stepped up impressively, scoring 244 runs throughout the series. He earned the Player-of-the-Series award for his consistent performance, including twin half-centuries on a tricky track in Mumbai.
Young emphasized trusting his defense during his innings. “I need to trust my defence,” he said. “If I know where I want to score and I can trust my defence, it makes the mind a lot clearer.” His calmness under pressure contributed significantly to New Zealand’s success.
New Zealand Create History
The victory over India is particularly sweet for New Zealand cricket fans. It marks a significant achievement for a team that has worked hard to establish itself on the world stage. Mitchell summed up the team’s feelings perfectly: “We’re just a bunch of Kiwis taking on the world, and very proud to represent our country.”
The win comes shortly after New Zealand’s women’s team lifted the T20 World Cup in the UAE last month. This timing adds extra joy to their cricketing achievements this season.
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