New Zealand achieve historic milestones with first-ever Test series win in India

New Zealand has clinched their first-ever Test series victory in India after Tom Latham and his team won the second Test by 113 runs at the MCA stadium in Pune on Saturday (October 26).

Earlier, the Kiwis had won the Bengaluru Test by eight wickets to clinch the ongoing Test series 2-0 in India, with the third and final Test scheduled for Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai from November 1.

New Zealand clinches first-ever Test series in India, ending India's 4,331-day dominance

It was not only New Zealand’s first-ever Test series triumph in 36 years on Indian soil but also shattered India’s staggering 4,331-day reign of dominance at home, a streak that saw an astounding 18 consecutive series wins in Test cricket.

New Zealand also registered its first-ever Test series win away in the history of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), which began in August 2019.

FIRST AWAY SERIES WIN FOR NEW ZEALAND IN WTC HISTORY..!!!!

- WTC started in August 2019. pic.twitter.com/1NvbVzm1r8

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 26, 2024

As Tom Latham and his Kiwi team celebrated their historic series win, Indian players and fans were left heartbroken as they witnessed the end of a momentous home record that had stood tall since 2012.

New Zealand's historic Test series win ends India's 18-series streak

The Indian cricket team had established itself as an unconquerable force at home, with their last Test series loss coming over a decade ago against England. India had won 18 series since their last series defeat against England back in 2012.

Tom Latham and his boys in India:

- Won their first ever Test in 36 years.

- Won their first ever Test series in India.

- Ended India's 4,331 days of dominance at home. pic.twitter.com/DxQhX7tuG6

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 26, 2024

Australia is the only second team after India to have managed to secure a maximum of 10 consecutive series wins twice at home. West Indies is the third team to have the most number of home Test series wins to their name—8.

Most Consecutive Test series wins at home

18 - IND (2013 to 2024)
10 - AUS (1994 to 2000)
10 - AUS (2004 to 2008)
8 - WI (1976 to 1986)
8 - NZ(2017 to 2020)

And The Streak has been Ended Today 💔#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/XRQz2upaB8

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) October 26, 2024

With this memorable Test series triumph, New Zealand has also become the only sixth team in the world to have recorded a Test series win on Indian soil after England, Australia, Pakistan, the West Indies, and South Africa. England and the West Indies have both won five-Test series in India, while Australia won four-Test series, with the last coming in 2004-05.

Really special feeling and proud to be in this position: Tom Latham

After scripting history on Indian soil, New Zealand captain Tom Latham said at the post-match presentation: “Really special feeling. Proud to be in this position. Whole team effort and a clear example of everyone pitching in. When you come over here, you want to put your best foot forward. Putting runs on the board at the start was really important.”

Praising the Player of the Match, Mitchell Santner, who scalped 13 wickets in the Pune Test, Latham said: “He was fantastic. Has been around the group a long time, and to finally get a break and bowl the way he has—credit to him. It was about trying to stick to our basics and play the long game."