"Shows to other teams around the world" - Tim Southee on setting example with IND vs NZ 2024 Test series win
Veteran New Zealand seamer Tim Southee said they are very proud to have broken Team India's decade-long unbeaten streak in home Test series. The former New Zealand Test captain opined that India and Australia are two of the most difficult places to tour.
The Kiwis stunned India in their backyard as they registered two comprehensive wins in Bengaluru and Pune to register a series win. New Zealand notably hadn't won a Test on Indian soil since 1988 before this tour, but won two matches on the trot to consign the hosts to a series defeat.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Southee, who played a pivotal role, stated:
"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 are the two places that are probably the most difficult to tour. 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 to other teams around the world that it is possible to beat India in India."
While the 35-year-old hasn't been actively among the wickets, he played a game-changing knock of 65 in the first innings in Bengaluru. The veteran's knock and partnership with Rachin Ravindra helped the Kiwis amass a lead of 356 and eventually overpower India.
"You can't pre-plan too much" - Tim Southee
While Southee admitted that New Zealand got lucky with the toss in Bengaluru, he believes not going with pre-conceived plans has been a decisive factor. The right-arm seamer added:
"I guess we got a bit lucky with the toss in Bangalore and it worked out. Probably no one in their wildest dreams expected the wicket to have reacted like that. That was a big part, but we just adapted to that. It wasn't what we expected, but we were able to adapt to it and give ourselves a good chance in that Test. I think the second Test was just what you expected."
"You can't pre-plan too much. I guess that's the strength of our side. Playing what's in front of you and just taking on and accepting the challenge right there."
The third and final Test against India begins on November 1 in Mumbai.