NEW DELHI: New Zealand achieved a historic first Test series victory in India with a 113-run win in the second Test, ending the hosts’ 12-year unbeaten streak. This victory also marked New Zealand’s first series win on Indian soil.
After securing the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets, New Zealand defeated India in the second Test in Pune by 113 runs, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
This series win halted India’s impressive run of 18 consecutive home series victories, which had lasted since Alastair Cook’s England clinched a famous 2-1 triumph in December 2012.
New Zealand veteran pacer Tim Southee expressed the team’s satisfaction with their historic win against India. With 104 Tests and 385 wickets to his name, Southee noted that their achievement sends a message to other teams worldwide that it is “possible” to defeat a strong team like India on their home turf.
“Yeah, I think you just look at the history. What is it, 12 years that someone’s been able to do it and 18 series or whatever it is. It’s a very, very tough place to come. I think if you look at it from my perspective and the cricket I’ve played in the past however many years, I think you look at India and Australia as probably the two most difficult places to tour. Both the conditions, the quality of the opposition, and how good they are at home make it a tough place to tour,” Southee told Cricbuzz.
“But I think you look at this one in particular, 12 years, 18 series. It’s nice to be that side that’s broken that run. I guess it shows other teams around the world that it is possible to beat India in India,” he added.
Having already clinched the three-match series 2-0, New Zealand will head to the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for the third Test, aiming for a 3-0 clean sweep against India.
