Dhoni's boys better than mine: Pataudi

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men were today hailed as India's "best ever" cricket team after winning the country's first Test series in New Zealand in 41 years.

India clinched the three-match series 1-0 on the back of a 10-wicket triumph in the first Test in Hamilton after heavy rain left them two wickets short of winning the third Test in Wellington today.

It was India's first series win in New Zealand since the 3-1 success under Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi in 1968.

Dhoni's men also won the preceding one-day series 3-1, though they lost the two Twenty20 internationals at the start of the seven-week tour.

"The current team is much better than ours was," Pataudi told Indian media. "In fact, it is easily one of India's best ever sides, probably the best."

Pataudi said the lack of green-top wickets - India's bugbear in New Zealand in the past - and unusual batting-friendly conditions did not diminish the team's performance.

"I have been very impressed the way the team has played over the past few years, both at home and abroad, and in all forms of the game," he said. "The side has a bright future."

India have won six of their last nine Test series and the third in a row after beating world champions Australia and England at home last year.

Of the 29 one-day internationals India played over the past 12 months, they won 21, lost seven while one game was washed out.

India are also the reigning world Twenty20 champions with seven wins out of 13 in the shortest form of the game.

The latest results continue a remarkable run for skipper Dhoni, the team's wicket-keeper and reliable lower order batsman, who has now won five of his seven Tests as captain with the other two ending in draws.

India's next major assignment is the defence of the World Twenty20 title in England in June. Dhoni's men won the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2007.