The Kiwis outclassed India in the first two Tests in Bengaluru and Pune to take an unassailable lead.
Heading into the three-Test series against India, no one gave New Zealand a chance to beat the hosts at their own backyard.
However, the Kiwis outclassed India in the first two Tests in Bengaluru and Pune to take an unassailable 2-0 lead, sealing a historic first-ever series triumph on Indian soil.
These two defeats also marked the end of India’s remarkable streak of 18 consecutive Test series victories on home soil.
Over the years, New Zealand have proved to be India's Achilles Heel. The Black Caps had defeated India in Southampton to win the inaugural World Test Championship title three years ago.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, veteran New Zealand pacer Tim Southee rated the India series win on par with the WTC final victory.
"Yeah, there have been plenty of good times, a few tough times. I guess the tough times, especially coming to part of the world, make this one a little bit sweeter,” Southee stated.
"I think you look back and it's hard to go past the World Test Championship and winning the World Test Championship. But this is right up there, if not equal to that. I think it's hard to go past those two. It's certainly been a highlight of my career so far," he added.
Southee said it feels special to put an end to India's envious home record over the past 12 years. "Yeah, I think anytime you come to this part of the world, and I've been a few times, it's a very tough place to come to. So to, I guess, reflect on and having the extra couple of days to be able to reflect on the last couple of weeks has been pretty special. It's also hard because we know we've still got a job to do in the next week or so to really make it a great few weeks," he remarked.
"So, more reflecting on what we've done after the series. But don't get me wrong; it's not lost on the guys at how special this achievement is. There's been plenty of great New Zealand sides that have been here over the years that haven't been able to do it. There have been plenty of great sides from around the world that haven't been able to come here and achieve what we've done in the last couple of weeks.
"So, yeah, certainly not lost on anyone about how tough a challenge it is to come here and how special the last couple of weeks have been," he added.
New Zealand and India will now square off in the third and final Test in Mumbai, starting on Friday (November 1).