"No One Has Done It": Ross Taylor Reflects on New Zealand’s Historic 3-0 Series Sweep Against India

New Zealand’s 3-0 Test series win against India has been hailed as one of the greatest achievements in the country’s cricket history. The Black Caps made history by becoming the first team ever to achieve a 3-0 whitewash in India, a feat that left both former and current players in awe.

Former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori described the historic series win as the country’s greatest cricket achievement. He recalled the long-standing challenge of playing in India, pointing out that New Zealand had struggled for decades to secure even one win on Indian soil. “You have to go back to Sir Richard Hadlee’s era, and he could only get one win,” Vettori said. “For this team to come here and get that first one, and then to win the series, is probably New Zealand cricket’s greatest.”

Ex-batter Ross Taylor also expressed his astonishment at the team's success, saying that he never expected a clean sweep, even in the wildest of dreams. “After winning the first Test in Bengaluru, it gave the team and the public belief, but I don’t think even in our wildest dreams we imagined a clean sweep,” Taylor admitted. “This has to be the greatest New Zealand series win in Test cricket. No one has done it. 3-0 in India, I don’t think anyone could see this at the start.”

Taylor praised the leadership of captain Tom Latham, saying that the team’s performance exceeded expectations. Despite coming off a tough series loss to Sri Lanka, New Zealand showed resilience and tenacity, particularly in their performance on the spin-friendly pitches of India. Taylor credited the team’s fighting spirit, saying, "A New Zealand team with their backs against the wall is a pretty dangerous side."

The series also saw a key turning point with New Zealand winning crucial tosses, particularly in the second and third Tests in Pune and Mumbai. Taylor noted the significance of these tosses, especially after New Zealand had lost the first Test, and how it influenced the team’s strategy.

Former express pacer Shane Bond also weighed in on the remarkable feat, acknowledging it as New Zealand's best result in Test cricket. “No other team has come and done what New Zealand has,” Bond said. He highlighted how even the great Australian teams struggled to win in India, making New Zealand's 3-0 sweep even more impressive. Bond also noted that, alongside New Zealand's World Test Championship title, this series win ranks as one of the best results in the country's cricket history.

The victory in India marks a significant milestone in New Zealand's cricketing journey, one that will be remembered for years to come as a historic achievement that surpassed all expectations.