Daredevilry, Black Caps Style, Sinks And Startles Indian Team

New Zealand’s men cricket team — known as the Black Caps — is celebrating a victory of historical proportions in India. The Tasman country has been visiting India since 1955 but never tasted a series success, winning just two Tests in 36 before landing in Bengaluru as a no hoper for a three Test series. But in a matter of 11 days, the country that has presented to cricket world the great Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe, will arrive in Mumbai with a great desire to make a clean sweep of the series. And that’s because the team also known as Kiwis has thrashed India in the first two Tests. Under the stewardship of Tom Latham, who stepped into the shoes of fast bowler Tim Southee after New Zealand lost 0-2  to Sri Lanka in Galle this September, is probably a national hero now. A show of daredevilry by its batters who went after the Indian spinners — just like Kevin Pietersen in Mumbai Test of England’s 2012-13 series — delivered  emphatic wins to hurt the Rohit Sharma led Indian team. New Zealand, a team that does not have a superstar, made the big splash with its fast bowling unit running roughshod on the Indian team in Bengaluru and then deployed the classic left arm spinner Mitchell Santner to debunk India’s supposed dominance against spin bowling. Undefeated at home since the 2012-13 series against England, India’s batters failed to find answers facing fast bowling and spin and are embarrassed, all happening before the five-Test series in Australia.