In Mumbai this week, New Zealand’s pacer Matt Henry told reporters on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards that his team’s 3‑0 Test triumph over India was far from a surprise. “We were ready for it,” Henry said. “The tour in Sri Lanka gave us confidence, told us how to play spin‑friendly pitches and how to keep the opposition under pressure.”
The win marked a historic moment. In 2022 New Zealand shocked the cricket world by defeating India 12‑year home run for the first time, whitewashing the Indians 2‑0 in their backyard. That series ended a run of dominance that had left the Indian team pummelled by Australia and saw big names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin retire from Tests.
New Zealand entered the 2024 series a bruised bunch after a 2‑0 loss in Sri Lanka. Yet the Kiwi bowlers turned the tide. Spinners Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner out‑wore India’s best spinners, and Henry claimed ten wickets across the two Tests at an average of just over 15. His best figures came in Bengaluru with a 5‑for‑15; a spell that helped India bowl out the crowd for only 46 on a rain‑affected pitch.
Henry said the result was a “memorable series for us” and that taking a three‑wicket margin was special for New Zealand cricket. He also looked ahead to the white‑ball series against India that starts on January 11 next year. “The timing can’t be better,” he said. “A world‑cup interval and a chance to sharpen our skills on Indian pitches before the T20 World Cup next year in India and Sri Lanka.”
The pacer expressed excitement at the prospect of bowling against India’s top T20 batter, Abhishek Sharma, who stormed the Asia Cup with 314 runs in six innings, averaging 44 and a strike rate of 200. “Batters now play fearlessly, especially in the IPL,” Henry said. “It’s more important than ever to take wickets when the scores are high.”
He praised India’s depth in T20 talent, noting that the country “has incredible depth in that format.” According to Henry, the Indian side will be one of those teams to beat at next year’s World Cup, and New Zealand will have to be sharp on both bowling and batting fronts. The win against India in a Test series, the upcoming ODI and T20 series, and the looming World Cup headline the next chapter in this high‑stakes rivalry.
Source: aninews
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