NEW DELHI: New Zealand became the first team to inflict a 3-0 whitewash on India in India with a 25-run victory in the 3rd Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
This is the first ever instance of New Zealand winning three Tests in a series home or away and first three ever they have won three successive away Tests.
This is also the first time India were whitewashed in a home series of three or more Tests at home. New Zealand became the fourth side to whitewash India in a series of 3+ Tests after England (4), Australia (3), and West Indies (once).
Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who picked ten wickets in an innings at this venue the last time he toured India, bowled the Kiwis to victory in this Test.
Ajaz took five wickets in the first innings and ensured that India didn’t gain a big first innings lead.
Ajaz finished with 6/57 as India crashed to 121 all out in 29.1 overs.
“Very very ecstatic. Looking back at the start of the series and to be in this position, boys have done a very good job and to finally to do it here in Mumbai, we were challenged with bat and ball. Very happy,” Latham said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“Just being able to adapt to each ground. There is no one way of doing things – the seamers did the job in Bangalore, different guys stood up at different times. More contributions we were looking for.
“Last week it was Mitch (Mitchell), this time it was Ajaz (Patel). We wanted to come here and try and fire a few shots. Tried to be aggressive with the bat, be proactive and with the ball, keep it simple.”
Latham said they didn’t play badly in Sri Lanka even though they lost 0-2.
“I don’t think we played all that bad over there. Fell on the right side of the toss in these conditions and put enough runs on the board. When you are chasing a target on a tricky wicket, it is important to have runs on the board.”
Latham also lauded New Zealand women’s team for winning the recently-concluded T20 World Cup.
“Girls winning the World Cup was fantastic, being in this position, we can only brag once we get to this position,” Latham said.
The Kiwis won the first Test in Bengaluru by 8 wickets and the second Test in Pune by 113 runs.
