On October 26, 2024, New Zealand accomplished something that was by no means typical. In the three-match series, the Black Caps won the second Test handily. It’s rare for cricket greats like Sachin Tendulkar, the erstwhile maestro of India, to offer commentary on the play of a foreign team halfway through a series.
Together with their crushing defeat in Bengaluru, this effectively meant that they had finally achieved what no other team had been able to do for not just one, not two, but twelve long years. Opposition teams seldom visit India and cause the home team’s batting order to falter the way New Zealand’s bowlers did in the two Test matches, dancing to their beats with pace and spin, respectively.
But such was the conviction of New Zealand’s performance during the match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune and the match before the one that was just finished in Bengaluru.
For any visiting team, to win a Test series in India is a dream, and New Zealand have played really well to make it happen.
Such results can only be achieved with good, all-round team efforts.
Special mention to Santner for his standout performance, picking up 13 wickets.… pic.twitter.com/YLqHfbQeJU
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 26, 2024
In addition to praising the New Zealand team’s tremendous effort, Sachin reserved particular recognition for bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner.
Santner, who was called in for the second Test because of the conditions that were going to be present, was sure to take advantage of every possible advantage. A six-for in the fourth and final innings of the match after a seven-wicket haul in India’s first piece. His magnificent 33 in New Zealand’s opening essay was also included, giving his team a far larger buffer than they had anticipated.
With their first away series victory in the WTC, NZ makes history.
It is impossible to overstate the significance of the legendary victory for New Zealand. They were unable to end their seven-series losing run since the World Test Championship began in 2019; this victory was their first away series victory.
Also Read: Mitchell Santner reflects on his 13-wicket haul vs India in Pune Test -‘Felt a bit harder this time’
Additionally, it was the first time New Zealand had won a series in India. Before the two wins, the Black Caps had only triumphed twice, at Green Park in 1969 and Wankhede Stadium in 1988.
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