India vs New Zealand. (Source – Getty Images)
Ajay Jadeja admitted that he didn’t believe New Zealand would be able to topple India in the first Test, at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru. The Blackcaps took a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series and moved to No. 4 in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.
India were always behind the eight ball after getting bowled out for 46 in their first innings. New Zealand batters piled misery on the hosts as they took a 356-run first innings lead after being dismissed for 402. India put on a spirited show in the second innings as they made 468. However, the 107-run target in the fourth innings didn’t perturb the Blackcaps as they romped home with eight wickets in the bank.
Jadeja said that the win was a significant result for the tourists as they managed to beat India in their own backyard in Test cricket for the first time since 1988. This was only the third time New Zealand got the better of India in India in the longest format of the game. The former India cricketer mentioned that the Rohit Sharma-led side was the team to beat in world cricket.
“It’s a massive result for them, there is no doubt about that, because they last won in India in 1988. I didn’t think before the start of this match that this result could happen, based on any evaluation, but now it’s not only thinking, it has been made realistic,” Jadeja said while reviewing the game on Colors Cineplex.
“If there is any team to beat in the world, it’s India now. There used to be an era when the West Indies and then Australia had their dominance. The Indian team is that team now. If any team in the world wants to get recognition, they can reach there by beating India,” he observed.
It will be a sort of booster for them: Ajay Jadeja
Furthermore, Ajay Jadeja also believes that the win will serve as a shot in the arm for New Zealand as they look to become the first team to emerge victorious in a Test series in India since England in 2012. Besides, Jadeja pointed out that a lot of players contributed to the success of New Zealand and the return of Kane Williamson in the second Test will only bolster their side.
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“Beating India in India is a massive win. It will be a sort of booster for them. It doesn’t matter to this team in any case. It’s a team that remains under the radar. It’s a well-planned team,” he stated.
“If you see the result as well, there are only two or three players like (Glenn) Phillips or (Daryl) Mitchell whose contribution you are not seeing. A team defeated you. They don’t depend much on an individual in any case. However, now Williamson will also join them when they go to Pune,” Jadeja concluded.