“That’ll be 10 times bigger achievement” – Former India cricketer’s huge statement amid NZ vs IND 2026 T20I series

Former India seamer Atul Wassan has cautioned India against reading too much into their T20I series win over New Zealand, warning that the hosts remain a dangerous side and could turn the tour around in the ODI and Test legs. The former pacer believes a Test series win in New Zealand would be a much bigger achievement than the T20I series victory.

India sealed the five-match T20I series with two games to spare by beating New Zealand by six wickets in the third match in Wellington on Tuesday, moving into an unassailable 3-0 lead.

Wassan, speaking to ANI after the game, said the margin should not be taken as evidence that New Zealand will be as easy to beat in the longer formats.

“You have just won the T20I series, but I’ll never write off New Zealand. They are a dangerous team; they have got talent. So, they might just turn the tables in ODIs and Test cricket, I am sure. And if India wins in Test cricket in New Zealand, I mean that will be 10 times bigger an achievement than winning this T20 series,” he stated.

The T20I series ends with the fourth match at Eden Park in Auckland on October 30 and the fifth at Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1. The five ODIs follow from November 4 to 15.

Following the white-ball series, the first Test runs from November 19 to 23 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, and the second from November 27 to December 1 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

India’s last Test series in New Zealand ended in a 2-0 defeat

India’s previous Test series in New Zealand, in February and March 2020, ended in a 2-0 defeat. New Zealand won by 10 wickets in Wellington and by seven wickets in Christchurch. Tim Southee was named player of the series after taking 14 wickets at 13.14.

India’s last Test series win in New Zealand came under MS Dhoni in 2008-09. India won the first Test in Hamilton by 10 wickets, drew in Napier, and rain in the third Test in Wellington denied them a second win.

Nevertheless, the 1-0 victory was India’s first Test series win in New Zealand since Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi’s 3-1 triumph in 1968.

Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran