India defeated New Zealand 4-1 in the five-match series
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly heaped praise on the team after yet another series victory abroad on Sunday.
With the win in Wellington, India bagged the five-match series 4-1 and continued their dominance in the 50-over format over the last one year.
India defeated South Africa 5-1 towards the beginning of 2018 but lost to England 1-2 but followed it up with historic series win in Australia and New Zealand this year to keep the bandwagon rolling ahead of the World Cup later this year.
And, with just five ODIs remaining ahead of the World Cup, Ganguly feels that the determination of the players and the ability of the bowlers to pick wickets at regular intervals is what makes them different from other teams.
"The difference between India and other teams is the determination. If India were chasing 253, there wouldn't have been such soft dismissals. The determination showed by Kohli, Rohit, Dhoni in Australia and now Rayudu and Chahal is what differentiates them from others.
"This team is strong in every department. Bumrah is not there but Shami played well. The plus point of this team is Kuldeep and Chahal and his bowling attack gets wickets in the start and in the middle as well," Ganguly said in IndiaTV's show Cricket ki Baat.
He went on to add that this Indian team is very strong and the win in New Zealand will be a great confidence booster ahead of the World Cup.
"This is a very strong ODI team and we have seen them big teams in their backyard and it is a good sign for India. We don't know if India will win the World Cup or not but the form shown by India will give them going into the World Cup," said the former captain.
Ganguly also said that the win against the Black Caps is right up there along with the one against the Proteas as they were full fledged series.
"I'll keep the South Africa ahead followed by New Zealand because India have dominated in these two series and played five-match series. I'd say the scheduling has helped India as they have improved with every passing series in overseas conditions and everyone has improved," Ganguly said.
The 46-year-old also backed Ambati Rayudu to make the cut to the World Cup squad after a good show in New Zealand over the last five matches.
"Rayudu played well. He fizzled out in the middle but has played well overall and I think he will go to the WC and he will play in India after this and he will score runs and go to the WC. This is a settled team and the 14-15 core of the team is settled and I hope all these players are fit come the World Cup and this team will be a strong team," he said.
Ganguly also praised Hardik Pandya for his 22-ball 45 and two wickets in the game.
"Hardik Pandya is a great player in this format. The impact he has on the game with the bat and the ball is great. There is a change of body language in his body language and I have said before that people make mistakes and we should all move on from it.
"Along with Rayudu, Pandya has been a game changer in the match.
"Making 250 from 22/4 is great. I feel Ambati Rayudu played with responsibility and it will give him confidence and Pandya played really well as well," Ganguly said.
India will next three T20Is against the Kiwis before flying back home for two T20Is and five ODIs against Australia, which will be followed by the Indian Premier League.
