Daryl Mitchell Reflects on New Zealand's Historic 3-0 Sweep of India

Following New Zealand's remarkable 3-0 series victory over India, captain Tom Latham expressed his elation, noting that adopting a more aggressive batting approach was a key factor in their success. The victory in the third Test in Mumbai marked a historic milestone, as it was the first time India has ever been whitewashed at home in a Test series of three or more matches.

"We spoke about it after each Test match. We were trying to back it up, and I guess to finally do it here in Mumbai, on a completely different surface, one that would challenge us certainly with bat and ball—yeah, we're pretty happy," Latham shared during the post-match presentation. He emphasized the importance of adapting to various conditions, which ultimately contributed to their triumph.

The series saw an impressive all-round team effort, making New Zealand the first visiting side to achieve this feat in India in 12 years. While the fast bowlers and Rachin Ravindra set the tone in the first Test, Mitchell Santner's exceptional performance in the second Test played a crucial role in securing the series victory.

Reflecting on their approach, Latham remarked, "We wanted to come over here and try to fire a few shots... and I certainly think we've done that." He credited the team's proactive mindset with both bat and ball, as well as the contributions from various players throughout the series.

Ajaz Patel emerged as a standout performer in the final Test, claiming 11 wickets in the match after struggling earlier in the series. "Spin bowling's a little bit about rhythm, and sometimes when you're in rhythm, it's about making the most of it," Patel noted after being named Player of the Match. He delivered a stellar performance, taking 5 for 103 in the first innings and 6 for 57 in the second, showcasing his adaptability to the pitch conditions at the Wankhede Stadium.

Despite a challenging start to the innings, Rishabh Pant posed a threat to Patel’s bowling. Recognizing Pant's aggressive approach, Ajaz devised a new strategy to counter him. "I knew that if I just bowled good balls to him, he's probably going to send them out of the park," Patel explained, indicating the need to stay ahead of the game.

Daryl Mitchell also made significant contributions with the bat, scoring 82 runs in New Zealand's first innings. This performance marked his first half-century of the series, coming after three innings where he had not exceeded 20 runs. Beyond his batting, Mitchell played a vital role in the field, taking eight catches as a slip fielder throughout the series.

"It's something you dream of, and to come over here and actually achieve it, it's pretty special against a world-class Indian team," Mitchell remarked, highlighting the significance of their achievement.

Will Young, who filled in for the injured Kane Williamson, excelled throughout the series, accumulating 244 runs and earning the Player of the Series award. His consistent performances, including a crucial 48 not out in Bengaluru and two half-centuries in Mumbai, underscored his ability to perform under pressure.

Young shared his approach to batting, emphasizing the importance of trusting his defense and being clear on his scoring intentions. "If I know where I want to score and I can trust my defence, it makes the mind a lot clearer," he said.

Summing up the series victory, Mitchell expressed pride in representing New Zealand on the global stage. "We're just a bunch of Kiwis taking on the world, and very proud to represent our country," he stated. Recognizing India's strength and talent, he concluded, "We know how good India are—they've got a number of world-class players—and for us, it's just [about] hanging in there, keep doing what Kiwis do, and yeah, very proud of this group today."