Former New Zealand head coach Gary Stead recently shared that leading his team to a historic Test series win in India in 2024 was the greatest achievement of his coaching career.
A Landmark Series Victory
Under Stead’s guidance, New Zealand made history by becoming the first team to whitewash India in a home Test series. This monumental 3-0 victory in October-November 2024 ended India’s long-standing unbeaten run at home, which stretched back to 2012.
The series loss has been a significant setback for India, who have since struggled in away tours, losing Test series in Australia and currently facing a similar challenge in England.
The Bengaluru Breakthrough
Recalling the first Test in Bengaluru, Stead revealed that losing the toss was surprisingly a “blessing in disguise.” The green top wicket allowed New Zealand’s bowlers, especially Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke, to dominate from the outset, dismissing India for just 46 runs.
Stead noted that while the pitch eventually flattened out, that initial session gave the Black Caps a crucial head start. The focus then shifted to consolidating their position and ensuring India’s lead didn’t become insurmountable as cracks began to appear on the surface.
Conquering Spin in Pune and Mumbai
After the Bengaluru win, New Zealand faced spin-friendly conditions in Pune and Mumbai. Despite India’s known strength on turning tracks, the Black Caps’ spinners impressively outbowled the hosts.
New Zealand’s batters also displayed superior application, showcasing resilience and adaptability against India’s formidable bowling attack. Stead attributed much of this success to the lessons learned from their prior tour of Sri Lanka, which provided valuable experience in navigating subcontinent conditions.
Winning a couple of crucial tosses also provided an advantage, allowing New Zealand to capitalize on the best of the playing conditions. Stead emphasized that beating India at home, given their exceptional record, was a truly remarkable feat.
Stead’s Ultimate Coaching Highlight
While Gary Stead also led New Zealand to victory in the inaugural World Test Championship final, beating India in Southampton, he believes the series win in India stands above it. He felt the conditions in Southampton were more favorable for his team, making the India series victory a more significant testament to their resilience and skill.
For Stead, overcoming such a strong Indian team in their own backyard represents the pinnacle of his coaching tenure in terms of results achieved.
- New Zealand whitewashed India 3-0 in a Test series in India (Oct-Nov 2024).
- This was India’s first home Test series loss since 2012.
- Gary Stead considers this victory his greatest coaching achievement, even over the World Test Championship win.
- New Zealand’s bowlers excelled on green tops, and their spinners outplayed India’s on turning pitches.
- Lessons from a previous tour to Sri Lanka significantly aided their success in India.
This historic series win undoubtedly cemented Gary Stead’s legacy with the Black Caps, showcasing their ability to triumph against the odds in one of cricket’s toughest frontiers.
