New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets in the final on Wednesday to clinch the World Test Championship (WTC0 title at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Kane Williamson & Co. have since been receiving congratulatory messages from all corners after being crowned the first-ever Test champions of the world.

New Zealand rode on captain Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 52 and Ross Taylor’s 47 not out to chase down the target of 139 runs on the sixth day of the final and thrash India comfortably by eight wickets to lift the elusive Test mace. Joining on the bandwagon to congratulate the team, New Zealand prime minister  Jacinda Ardern hailed Williamson & Co. and said the whole country is proud of their achievement.

The New Zealand Prime Minister said the victory is a well-deserved one for the Black Caps and will act as an inspiration for the countrymen in the coming years. New Zealand had last won a major ICC trophy in the year 2000 when they clinched the Champions Trophy under Stephen Fleming. Their long-standing wait for a major ICC title came to an end on Wednesday.

“The Blackcaps have made New Zealand proud. This was a masterful performance from a team at the top of their game and on top of the world. Kane Williamson and the team leaders have built a brilliant and humble squad who has become an inspiration to many New Zealanders,” Jacinda Ardern said in a statement.

“Over a number of years now we have seen the development of a team and team culture that has taken New Zealand cricket to world-beating heights. This victory is the well-deserved culmination of that work. We look forward to welcoming the team home and celebrating their success,” she added.

With their memorable triumph in the World Test Championship, New Zealand also buried the ghost of the 2019 ODI World Cup final which they had lost to England on boundary count rule. While captain Williamson led from the front with the bat, the likes of Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee were impressive with the ball in the final against India.