Delighted after drubbing India 4-0 in the just-concluded ODI series, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum today called it a ground-breaking triumph for his side and the most satisfying of his career so far.
New Zealand dominated the five-match series, the third game of which was a tie, even though India were considered hands-down favourites at the start of it. The Kiwis' fantastic run ended India's reign at the top of the ICC ODI rankings.
"From an ODI point of view, this series is the most satisfying I have been a part of," said McCullum after the fifth and final ODI which the Kiwis won by 87 runs.
"India arrived here as the number one ODI team in the world and not many expected us to compete with them, let alone get a series white wash. We are delighted with the way we played in this series especially on the back of fine performances from Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson, and also the way our bowlers stepped up. Overall, it was a ground breaking series for us," he added.
When asked pertinently if Team India had proven worthy opponents, McCullum said he respected Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men.
"We didn't allow them to play to their potential. But they are a very good team. The Indian cricketers all have proven careers and proven statistics over a period of time," he said.
"We were very respectful of their standing in the game as the number one team when they arrived on our shores and for us as the number eight team to put in a performance to topple these guys is something that makes this victory even sweeter," he added.
One of the key factors in New Zealand's victory has been the form of their batsmen, especially Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, both of whom again shone in this final ODI as well.
They put on 152 runs for the third wicket, with Williamson scoring his fifth successive half-century in this series, while Taylor scored his second consecutive ton. He also has two other fifties to his name from this series.
"The key to our consistency as a team is that we are getting more runs, consistently. That is on the back of some good form, especially the way Ross and Kane have batted through the middle overs," said McCullum.
"For your number three and four batsmen to stamp their authority on the series the way they have done and the partnerships they have been able to create and get us in those positions to kick on towards the end, that's allowed us to get big totals.
