In a series that had cricket fans on the edge of their seats, New Zealand achieved an incredible feat of 3-0 whitewash against India on their home turf. This historic win wasn’t just about great skill but also exceptional preparation, adaptability, and a thorough understanding of diverse pitch conditions that varied from city to city.
New Zealand’s Preparations and Strategy
New Zealand’s preparation for the series was meticulous. Their winter training included practicing on turning pitches, anticipating the varied conditions they would face in India. New Zealand’s adaptability, both technically and mentally, was evident in how they switched gears to meet the demands of each game.
Indian pitches, especially during a long series, can vary significantly in their characteristics some favoring pace while others offer spinners the chance to dominate. For visiting teams, adjusting to these changes is a tall order, especially when faced with conditions they rarely encounter back home.
Mumbai’s Conditions and Familiar Challenges
The final test in Mumbai brought back more familiar conditions for New Zealand’s spinners, especially for Ajaz Patel. The pitch offered a consistent turn, something the team had trained extensively for during their winter preparations.
Ajaz Patel delivered a masterclass in Mumbai, showcasing his skills against the likes of Rishabh Pant. Known for his power hitting, Pant posed a significant threat, but Ajaz’s control and variations neutralized him. Ajaz’s performance was instrumental in New Zealand’s success, highlighting the effectiveness of their preparation and in-game adaptability.
“It’s been three different surfaces and three different games, and I guess we’re well aware that one of the challenges of going to Asia is that the conditions are going to change all the time and you have to be adaptable and even within the game the conditions change very quickly. I mean even in this Mumbai Test I was bowling…I think in the first innings and I felt like I was bowling really well but the wicket wasn’t really turning and then I came back after Lunch and all of a sudden everything started happening.
“So I guess when you come to the subcontinent it’s about having that skill set and that range of being able to whether it be bowl in the high 90s or bowl in the low 80s and being able to be adaptable in those ranges I guess from the outset. It’s also reading the surface quickly because the conditions like I say do change at a constant (rate). Sometimes the conditions in the morning can be very different to the conditions in that middle session and so as a spinner it’s about knowing how to get the most out of that, how to change your pace, how to go up and down while still having the ball shape,” said Ajaz.
Toss Factor in Asian Conditions
In Asia, winning the toss can heavily influence the outcome. Spinners often face a greater challenge when bowling last, as the pitch can deteriorate, making it hard to control turn and bounce.
Ajaz said: “I guess, from Sri Lanka to here, I don’t think we were too much different, to be honest with you. I think we played some really good cricket in Sri Lanka, but unfortunately (we lost the series). When you come to the subcontinent, the toss is so important and bowling in the last innings in comparison to bowling in the third innings, especially on a turning wicket, can sometimes be the difference as spinners.
“While the results didn’t go our way in Sri Lanka, I don’t feel like we played too poorly or anything like that. Even from a batting department, we still put runs on the board. It was just a matter of, I guess, you know, having a bit of luck our way as well in the series.”
Adaptability: A Key Factor for New Zealand
Adapting to different pitch conditions is a skill that many teams struggle with, particularly in India. New Zealand’s success lay in their ability to modify strategies based on the pitch, weather, and even session-to-session changes. From altering their bowling speeds to choosing the right moments to attack, the team displayed commendable flexibility.
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