IND vs NZ: Tributes pour in for New Zealand after historic Test series win

Mumbai: New Zealand wrote history at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, with an astounding 3-0 whitewash over India.

With Ajaz Patel castling Washington Sundar for the final wicket of the series, New Zealand became the first team in history to claim a clean sweep in a three-match Test series in India and they did it in some style.

New Zealand, led by Ajaz Patel’s heroics with a fourth-innings six-wicket haul, took charge with the ball after his side set a 147-run target, that inflicted defeat upon India 25 runs.

Post the astounding win, praises came in from across the globe, with notable members of the cricketing fraternity showering compliments on the massive feat achieved by the Kiwis.

Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar heaped praise on the all-round effort from the Tom Latham-led side, while applauding Mitchell Santner for his heroics through the series.

“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. Congratulations to New Zealand on this phenomenal achievement!,” Sachin tweeted.

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

Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga labelled the cleansweep as a once in a lifetime kind of win while Michael Vaughan, Yuvraj Singh and Ian Bishop also reserved praise for the New Zealand side.

A once in a lifetime kind of win for New Zealand!
From being whitewashed in Sri Lanka to whitewashing India, just WOW. What a turnaround by the Kiwis!
A historic moment in New Zealand cricket history! #INDvNZ

— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) November 3, 2024

To win in India is incredible but to deliver a clean sweep is remarkable … has to be the greatest ever Test series victory … India now have a group of Batters that struggle like most teams against Spin … #INDWvNZW

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 3, 2024

Cricket truly is a humbling sport, isn’t it? Just months after our T20 World Cup win, we face a historic whitewash. That’s the beauty of this game! Bigger tests lie ahead with the Australia series & the way forward is to introspect, learn and look up!

Congratulations to the…

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) November 3, 2024

With the series win, India slipped to second in the WTC table, while New Zealand positioned themselves strong in the fourth spot and are in contention for the final at Lord’s in June 2025.