"They had a slogan on TV saying 5-0 for their home summer" - Tom Blundell says Team India are 'shell-shocked' after IND vs NZ 2024 Test series defeat
New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell has opined that Team India took them lightly ahead of the three-Test series and are now shell-shocked after going 0-2 down. The right-handed batter recalled watching a slogan on the television before the series, saying India would sweep the home summer 5-0.
India had been unbeaten for 18 consecutive home series since 2012-13 before facing the Kiwis. However, the Black Caps have secured a historic series win with two relatively easy victories, bringing Rohit Sharma and company under plenty of scrutiny. While the hosts beat Bangladesh 2-0 comfortably, they failed to achieve that against New Zealand.
Speaking on SENZ Mornings, Blundell said India wouldn't have expected them to produce such high-quality cricket, especially after New Zealand's recent 0-2 defeat in Sri Lanka.
"They're a little bit shell-shocked. When we first came over, I think they had a slogan on TV saying five-nil for their home summer, or something along those lines. I'm pretty sure they wrote us off coming after Sri Lanka. But I think they're pretty shocked in terms of what we've achieved, and how we've come out and competed and played some really good cricket to beat these guys - one of the best teams in the world," Tom Blundell said,
The opening Test in Bengaluru saw the Black Caps skittle India out for their lowest total on home soil (46) and eventually win by eight wickets. With the curators dishing out a spinning surface in Pune, the tourists bowled India out for 156 after posting a competitive 259. With 359 to win for the hosts in the fourth innings, they were bowled out for 245.
"We've got a possibility of beating them 3-0" - Tom Blundell on Team India
The 34-year-old called the series win 'one of the biggest highlights' of his career and took pride in the prospect of winning the series 3-0. Blundell added in the same interview:
"You've got the World Test Championship still on the line, that's something that motivates us as well. But it's going to be a challenge. India are probably hurting from this. But regardless of the result, we can go home with a pretty big smile on our faces. What we've achieved here is pretty immense, it's probably one of the biggest highlights of my career. We're excited. We've got a possibility of beating them 3-0. But regardless of that, we're pretty chuffed."
The third and final Test of the series begins on Friday, November 1, in Mumbai.