Adapting to Wankhede’s red soil important, says coach Stead as New Zealand eye series whitewash in India

Unfancied going into the series, New Zealand have stunned the hosts after winning the first two Tests, beating India by eight wickets in Bengaluru and following it up with a 113-run win in Pune last week.

The results ended India’s winning streak of 18 consecutive series at home, a run stretching back to 2012.

Speaking to the New Zealand media, Reuters quoted Stead as saying: “A series win in itself is incredible, but what we want to do is keep trying to get better every game, and we’re going to different circumstances now.”

Winning the third Test would boost New Zealand’s chances of qualifying for the WTC Final. The Black Caps, who beat India in 2021 to win the crown, are currently fourth in the standings and must beat India before overcoming England in a three-Test home series next month to further improve their chances of finishing in the top two.

Stead, however, was mindful of the challenges of a venue where they were thrashed by 372 runs the last time they played there in 2021.

“The red clay is very different, so we’re going to have to adapt quickly. Our next two trainings are going to be important but for the WTC itself, there’s no doubt one more win would certainly help us,” Stead said.

He added: “The first time we were in the situation of qualifying for the first WTC final, we had to win four tests on the bounce and we managed to. Hopefully, that’s something we can lean on and say, ‘We’ve done it before, here’s an opportunity to perhaps do something very special again’.”