"I didn't think before the start of this match that this result could happen" - Ajay Jadeja on New Zealand's 'massive' win in IND vs NZ 2024 1st Test
Ajay Jadeja has termed New Zealand's win in the first Test against India in Bengaluru a 'massive' result for the visitors. He pointed out that the Kiwis hadn't won a Test on Indian soil since 1988 and that he didn't think such a result was possible before the match had started.
New Zealand beat India by eight wickets on Sunday, October 20, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Although they were reduced to 35/2 at one stage, they chased down the 107-run target without losing any further wickets.
Reviewing the game on Colors Cineplex, Jadeja noted that New Zealand proved his pre-match predictions wrong.
"It's a massive result for them, there is no doubt about that, because they last won in India in 1988. I didn't think before the start of this match that this result could happen, based on any evaluation, but now it's not only thinking, it has been made realistic," he said.
The former India captain added that Rohit Sharma and company are the team to beat in international cricket.
"If there is any team to beat in the world, it's India now. There used to be an era when the West Indies and then Australia had their dominance. The Indian team is that team now. If any team in the world wants to get recognition, they can reach there by beating India," Jadeja observed.
India haven't lost a Test series at home since 2012. This was just their fifth Test defeat at home since that 2-1 series loss to England 12 years ago.
"It will be a sort of booster for them" - Ajay Jadeja on New Zealand's win
![Rachin Ravindra was one of the star performers in New Zealand's win. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/07936-17294184558733-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same discussion, Ajay Jadeja opined that the win would be a fillip for New Zealand.
"Beating India in India is a massive win. It will be a sort of booster for them. It doesn't matter to this team in any case. It's a team that remains under the radar. It's a well-planned team," he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the Kiwis registered the win through a combined team effort and that they will be further boosted by Kane Williamson's potential availability for the second Test in Pune.
"If you see the result as well, there are only two or three players like (Glenn) Phillips or (Daryl) Mitchell whose contribution you are not seeing. A team defeated you. They don't depend much on an individual in any case. However, now Williamson will also join them when they go to Pune," Jadeja noted.
Rachin Ravindra was chosen as the Player of the Match for his 134 and unbeaten 39-run knocks in the first and second innings, respectively. While Devon Conway, Tim Southee and Will Young played crucial knocks, Matt Henry and William O'Rourke starred with the ball for the visitors.