'India are little bit shell-shocked' - Tom Blundell reflects on New Zealand's historic series win

India conceded a lead of more than 100 runs consecutively for the first time since 2001. This turned out to be fatal resulting in first and second Test loss against New Zealand in the ongoing series. This also made India lose a series at home after 12 years. After becoming the first team to break India’s home fortress since 2012, New Zealand are planning to hand over one more heartbreak for the hosts before boarding the flight back.

It is worth noting that, India have never been whitewashed at home since 2000. They have kept this aspect unblemished for over 24 years. New Zealand’s wicketkeeper-batter, Tom Blundell has quipped that India are “shell-shocked” after writing off the Kiwis before the commencement of the series. He also cited the television commercials that overtly promoted India’s dominance ahead of the series.

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“They’re a little bit shell-shocked. When we first came over, I think they had a slogan on TV saying five-nil for their home summer, or something along those lines. I’m pretty sure they wrote us off coming after Sri Lanka. But I think they’re pretty shocked in terms of what we’ve achieved, and how we’ve come out and competed and played some really good cricket to beat these guys – one of the best teams in the world. I think they’re a little bit shell-shocked in terms of what has happened,” Blundell told SENZ Mornings.

Probably one of the biggest highlights of my career: Blundell

New Zealand enter the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with an air of nothing to lose. They have done what no other team had done since 2012. Blundell added that, though the World Test Championship Finals is in the view, the team is content with the performance against India. He also hoped for a 3-0 result going into the Mumbai tussle.

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“You’ve got the World Test Championship still on the line, that’s something that motivates us as well. But it’s going to be a challenge. India are probably hurting from this. But regardless of the result, we can go home with a pretty big smile on our faces. What we’ve achieved here is pretty immense, it’s probably one of the biggest highlights of my career. We’re excited. We’ve got a possibility of beating them 3-0. But regardless of that, we’re pretty chuffed,” Blundell added.