Tim Southee: Beating India in India Proves Possible
The challenge of beating India has often been deemed the toughest in cricket, and Southee agrees. He noted, "When you look at the history, it's been 12 years and 18 series since anyone has managed to do it." This victory shows that it is indeed possible to overcome the formidable challenge that India presents at home.
New Zealand has made cricket history by securing a Test series victory in India with a match still to play, a feat that had eluded previous New Zealand teams and no other side had accomplished in over 12 years. Winning a Test series against India on their home turf is often considered one of the toughest challenges in cricket. Before this series, the captaincy transitioned to Tim Southee following a disappointing loss to Sri Lanka.
Southee, who has over 100 Tests under his belt and is the most experienced member of the current squad, reflected on the achievement in an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz. He described the victory as a significant milestone for the team.
Southee recalled his first Test series in India back in 2010, describing the experience as incredibly challenging. He faced legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid and noted that the foreign conditions and high-quality opposition made every visit to India a significant test. Despite the difficulties, he expressed admiration for the passionate cricket culture in India.
Looking back on past tours, Southee admitted that every trip had its challenges, with varying degrees of success. He recalled a series in 2016 that was particularly tough, and although he has had limited success in India before this tour, the current team's performance marked a turning point.
In the context of his career, Southee ranks this series win alongside his World Test Championship triumph. He acknowledged the difficulty of previous tours and the sweetness of this victory, stating, "It’s right up there, if not equal to that."
As New Zealand celebrates this historic achievement, the cricket world watches closely, and other teams are reminded that beating India in their own backyard is indeed possible.
