New Zealand's Historic 3-0 Whitewash: Tom Latham Reflects on an Unforgettable Series

On a sweltering Sunday afternoon at Wankhede Stadium, New Zealand made history by becoming the first team to achieve a 3-0 series whitewash against India on their home turf. The moment was capped when Ajaz Patel bowled out Washington Sundar, leading to jubilant celebrations from his teammates. This victory marked a surreal culmination of nearly three weeks for the visiting team, a journey filled with challenges and triumphs.

In a post-match interview, New Zealand captain Tom Latham expressed his disbelief at the team's success over the series. “I’m lost for words a little bit in terms of what’s happened over the last three days, but also the last sort of three weeks,” he admitted. “If you asked me at the start of the tour whether I would have liked to be in this position... to be here now and play the cricket that we've played is really special and I'm really proud of the group.”

Overcoming Adversity

New Zealand arrived in India with significant challenges. Senior player Kane Williamson was sidelined for the entire series due to injury, and Tim Southee had recently stepped down from captaincy following a disappointing Test series in Sri Lanka, which included a demoralizing innings where they were bowled out for just 88 runs. Taking over as captain under such circumstances was no easy task for Latham. Yet, with a cohesive team effort, New Zealand defied expectations and rewrote the narrative of what it means to tour India.

“From my point of view, leading this group… it’s always a really proud moment to lead New Zealand,” Latham reflected. “To come here and be my first time as full-time captain and to be in this position is really special. But for me, it’s not about me, it’s about the team. Everyone’s chipped in when they needed to, and that’s the beauty of a team sport.”

Dominance from the Start

The series dominance for New Zealand began right from the first morning in Bangalore, where they capitalized on India's misstep at the toss. The New Zealand bowlers exploited the conditions, bundling out the Indian side for just 46 runs, setting the tone for the rest of the series. Latham noted, “I think that wicket in Bangalore was a pretty tricky one. Our seamers did a fantastic job in terms of what we were able to achieve there. We knew India tends to play aggressively, and we planned accordingly.”

On the final day of the series, New Zealand's bowlers replicated their early success, quickly dismantling India’s top order. Chasing a target of 147, India stumbled to 29 for 5, showcasing New Zealand’s relentless pressure. Latham acknowledged the threat posed by Rishabh Pant, stating, “Even today, with Rishabh still there, I certainly didn’t believe the game was over. They have match-winners throughout their side and they’ve been successful playing the way they have for a long time.”

A Historic Achievement

Throughout the series, New Zealand demonstrated their ability to maintain momentum, refusing to ease off even after achieving a winning start. Latham praised the team's resolve, particularly in overcoming a wounded Indian side in Pune and sealing the series in Mumbai. “Pretty happy we got the job done. It’s been a massive achievement,” he said. “To win a series like this is something we will always remember. We spoke about adapting as much as we can, and to be in this position [3-0], it’s certainly a series that I’ll never forget.”

As the celebrations began, Latham reflected on the significance of the victory, noting that it would take time for the achievement to fully sink in. “We’ll share that and celebrate as a group together tonight and the next couple of days before we head home. It’s certainly been an amazing series to be a part of,” he concluded, a sentiment echoed by the entire New Zealand squad as they savored their unprecedented success against India.