New Zealand’s historic 3-0 whitewash of India was a monumental achievement, showcasing the team’s proficiency in overcoming a myriad of challenges. A significant obstacle was the diversity of pitches, which presented varied conditions across the venues of Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. Each ground had its unique landscape, forcing both teams to adapt their strategies to succeed.
The first Test match witnessed the weather playing a pivotal role in shaping the pitch conditions. New Zealand took full advantage of the pace-friendly surfaces to dismantle India’s batting line-up in the first innings, essentially clinching the victory. In the second Test in Pune, although the pitch offered some assistance to spin bowlers, it was relatively slow, demanding recalibration from the slower bowlers. Recognizing the intricacies of the pitch, New Zealand’s spinners, spearheaded by Mitchell Santner, adapted remarkably well, setting the groundwork for New Zealand’s first-ever series win against India on their home soil.
Moving to Mumbai for the third Test, it was Ajaz Patel who emerged as New Zealand’s hero. Familiar with the subcontinental climate, he skillfully navigated the Rishabh Pant-led challenge, thereby solidifying New Zealand’s unprecedented whitewash in India, a feat never achieved before by any team in a minimum 3-Test series on Indian grounds.
In a media interaction conducted via Zoom, Ajaz Patel spoke about the distinct conditions New Zealand faced and how their preparation paid off. “We encountered three different surfaces which amounted to three different contests altogether. In Asia, you must be prepared for the rapidly changing conditions. These adjustments are critical, as the pitch can behave unpredictably during a game. For instance, during the Mumbai Test, I initially felt the wicket wasn’t offering much turn. However, post-lunch, the conditions had altered, and everything started to work in our favor.”
Ajaz emphasized the importance of adaptability for spinners in the subcontinent, discussing how New Zealand strategized back home to tackle such conditions. “During the winter, we honed our skills on turning wickets and various playing surfaces that we anticipated encountering. It’s about preparation coupled with having the confidence to execute skills under varying conditions.”
The team’s journey wasn’t without challenges.
. Before this triumphant series in India, New Zealand faced a setback as their preparation time was cut short when a Test match against Afghanistan in Greater Noida was washed out, leaving the team with no play. In a n subsequent series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand faced a 2-0 defeat as they lost both tosses and were compelled to bat second. However, in India, fortune favored them at the toss, allowing New Zealand to leverage the optimal batting conditions effectively.
Ajaz highlighted the critical role of the toss in determining outcomes in Asian conditions. “In Sri Lanka, our cricket wasn’t far off from what we played against India. Yet, the toss plays a crucial part here. Bowling in the last innings as opposed to the third can be pivotal for spinners, especially when the wicket starts turning.”
He also acknowledged the tactical insights provided by spin consultant Rangana Herath. Herath’s knowledge and experience, particularly on subcontinental wickets, were instrumental in guiding New Zealand’s spinners to outclass Indian batsmen. “Working with Rangana was invaluable. His expertise in left-arm spin bowling resonates with my own style. He advised us on field settings, ensuring we remained aggressive while containing boundaries.”
Ajaz also spoke about mastering the straighter delivery, a crucial aspect for spinners on turning tracks. “Delivering the straighter ball is an art every spinner must perfect, especially in Asia. On such wickets, the real challenge is in maintaining a straight line rather than just turning the ball. Rangana enriched us with new techniques that masked cues from the batsmen. We ensured our batsmen could handle the straight ball as adeptly as our bowlers delivered it.”
This series victory in India, highlighted by New Zealand’s adaptability and preparedness under varying conditions, stands as a testament to their evolving prowess in international cricket.