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New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell hailed his team as “a bunch of Kiwis taking on the world” after their historic 3-0 Test series triumph in India.
The tourists won the third match by 25 runs in three days on Sunday in Mumbai to hand a stunned India only their second Test whitewash at home.
With 1.4 billion people, many of whom are passionate about cricket, India has been humbled by a nation with a population 270 times smaller.
“We are a group of Kiwis taking on the world and representing the country,” Mitchell said, adding he was “very proud of the group”.
“We know how good India is,” he said.
New Zealand have repeatedly upset the odds and defied history in India.
The Black Caps’ victory in the opening match in Bengaluru was only their third Test victory in India and the first since 1988.
The victory in the second Test sealed the first ever Test series victory in the country for the New Zealanders, who did so without prolific batsman Kane Williamson.
He missed all three Tests for groin treatment in a bid to get back fit for the England tour later this month.
– ‘One of the best’ –
Will Young took third place in Williamson’s batting and played a key role, hitting 71 and 51 in the final Test.
Young called the victory “massive”, saying he would never forget the “memories with the boys that we just made”.
“That’s why we play this game,” said Young, who was named player of the series for his 244 runs in six innings.
“We’re doing it for the guy next to us, and it’s a great feeling.”
New Zealand won their first Test series by beating Pakistan 1-0 in three matches in 1969 under the captaincy of Graham Dowling.
But it wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s that Kiwi cricket took off, beating the visiting West Indies and India between 1979 and 1981.
India’s triumph tops it all, especially as they were beaten 2-0 in Sri Lanka in the build-up.
They sent mighty India to their first home Test series defeat in 12 years.
“It will sink in a bit more when we get home, once the dust has settled a bit,” said Tom Latham, who took over as full-time Test captain after Tim resigned Southee after Sri Lanka’s defeat.
“It’s a fantastic achievement. I would say it’s one of the best.”
New Zealand host England for three Tests starting November 28 in Christchurch, followed by matches in Wellington and Hamilton.
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