NEW DELHI: Former New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor expressed amazement at the team's historic 3-0 Test series victory over India, a feat that exceeded everyone's expectations.
The win in Mumbai on Sunday marked India's first home Test series loss since 2012 and New Zealand's maiden series triumph on Indian soil.
The Kiwis dominance was evident throughout the series, excelling in all departments of the game and effectively containing India's strong batting lineup.
The Kiwis had outstanding performances from both their bowlers and batsmen, contributing to their unprecedented success.
Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner were among the top wicket-takers, claiming 15 and 13 wickets, respectively. while Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, and Devon Conway spearheaded New Zealand's batting with impressive scores of 256, 244, and 227, respectively.
"Like most of the country, I'm just in awe of the team. 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," Taylor told ESPNcricinfo.
Taylor believes this remarkable triumph over India provided a much-needed boost to cricket fans back home in New Zealand, especially team's loss to Sri Lanka.
"Cricket is fighting for an audience (in New Zealand). It's a rugby nation, now there's an extra football league in our local competition, so cricket after losing in Sri Lanka, the press after that has changed around completely. I don't think we've had scenes like this since winning the (last) World Test Championship and I think it just tells you how high the New Zealand cricket public holds the Indian cricket team and what it's like to go and win over there.
"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, the captain), Gary and the boys," he added.
The win in Mumbai on Sunday marked India's first home Test series loss since 2012 and New Zealand's maiden series triumph on Indian soil.
The Kiwis dominance was evident throughout the series, excelling in all departments of the game and effectively containing India's strong batting lineup.
The Kiwis had outstanding performances from both their bowlers and batsmen, contributing to their unprecedented success.
Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner were among the top wicket-takers, claiming 15 and 13 wickets, respectively. while Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, and Devon Conway spearheaded New Zealand's batting with impressive scores of 256, 244, and 227, respectively.
"Like most of the country, I'm just in awe of the team. 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," Taylor told ESPNcricinfo.
Taylor believes this remarkable triumph over India provided a much-needed boost to cricket fans back home in New Zealand, especially team's loss to Sri Lanka.
"Cricket is fighting for an audience (in New Zealand). It's a rugby nation, now there's an extra football league in our local competition, so cricket after losing in Sri Lanka, the press after that has changed around completely. I don't think we've had scenes like this since winning the (last) World Test Championship and I think it just tells you how high the New Zealand cricket public holds the Indian cricket team and what it's like to go and win over there.
"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, the captain), Gary and the boys," he added.
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