The history of the India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team is a colorful story of exciting matches, memorable moments, and developing rivalries. Since the dusty pitches of the 1950s, to the electric stadiums of today, these two cricketing giants have fought each other in all formats with pride and passion.
Their meetings have usually been characterized by resiliency, tactics and personal genius. It could be a dirty Test match or a tense T20 finish but India vs New Zealand matches never disappoint.
The two teams have over the decades produced legends that have written their names in cricketing folklore. The competition has witnessed the best of both countries, Kapil Dev to Kane Williamson.
It is not only a record of successes and failures but a history of cricket development, where tradition and innovation, sportsmanship and intense rivalry meet. Keep reading this article to know more about the timeline of India vs New Zealand.
India vs New Zealand: Head-to-Head Summary (All Formats)
Both India and New Zealand have clashed in all three formats, Tests, ODIs, and T20Is with both teams having their share of dominance. India has a small advantage in ODIs and T20Is, but New Zealand has performed better in ICC tournaments and Test series in other countries.
Head-to-Head Statistics
| Format | Match Played | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draw/Tie/NR |
| Tests | 63 | 22 | 13 | 28 Draws |
| Odis | 116 | 58 | 50 | 8 No Results |
| T20s | 24 | 13 | 10 | 1 Tie |
History of the First Test Match Between India vs New Zealand
India and New Zealand played their first-ever Test match in 1955 at Hyderabad, and this was the start of a long cricketing association. It was one of the games in the New Zealand tour to India and the game was drawn.
India under Ghulam Ahmed, demonstrated mighty batting skills and New Zealand under Harry Cave, demonstrated their disciplined bowling. The game was a five day event as was the norm of the time and both sides were playing defensively.
This was the first Test that set the tone of future matches with India slowly gaining the upper hand on home soil. India won 2-0 to end the series.
The game also saw the rise of Indian spin bowling and the grit of New Zealand that would turn out to be synonymous with their cricketing culture.
History of the First ODI Match Between India vs New Zealand
India and New Zealand played each other in an ODI as part of the 1975 Cricket World Cup which was hosted in England. The game was held at the Old Trafford, Manchester and New Zealand won.
India, under the captaincy of Srinivas Venkataraghavan, did not fare well with the bat, and set a low total. Glenn Turner-led New Zealand comfortably pursued the target to become the first team to demonstrate their early mastery of the limited-overs format.
The match was in the first world cup and it exposed Indian fans to the thrill of ODIs. India learnt a lot despite the defeat.
The victory was a declaration of intent by New Zealand and the game has gone down as one of the historic moments in the ODI history of the two countries.
History of the First T20 Match Between India vs New Zealand
India and New Zealand held the first T20 International on September 16, 2007, in Johannesburg, at the first ICC T20 World Cup. New Zealand defeated the match by 10 runs.
India, led by Virender Sehwag, scored 191 runs in response to the target but lost the match in spite of a spirited performance. Brendon McCullum and Craig McMillan of New Zealand played a key role in posting a tough target.
This game was a game changer and it brought fans to the exciting action of T20 cricket. It also signaled the new dawn of the India vs New Zealand rivalry.
This loss would remind India about how unpredictable and strong New Zealand can be in crunch games and India would go on to win the tournament.
Significant Series Wins Between India vs New Zealand
India and New Zealand have both enjoyed memorable series wins over each other. While India has dominated at home, New Zealand has stunned India in overseas conditions.
Series Wins Summary
| Series Type | Year | Winner | Notable Performance |
| Test Series | 1968 | India | First overseas Test series win |
| Odi Series | 2019 | India | Dominant 4-1 win in NZ |
| Test Series | 2020 | NZ | 2-0 win at home |
| ICC WTC Final | 2021 | NZ | Beat India in Southampton |
| ICC WC Semi-Final | 2019 | NZ | Knocked India out in a thriller |
| ICC WC Semi-Final | 2023 | India | Revenge win in Mumbai |
Who are the Top Performers in India vs New Zealand Matches
Over the years, there have been a number of players who have been giving match-winning performances in India vs New Zealand matches. From explosive batting to deadly bowling these stars have made the rivalry.
India has produced legends of the game like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli who have ruled across all formats. On the Kiwi front, Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Ross Taylor have been the stand out performers.
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Top Indian Players vs New Zealand
| Sachin Tendulkar | ODI | 1750+ runs | Multiple centuries |
| MS Dhoni | ODI/T20 | 1200+ runs | Finisher role |
| Virat Kohli | All | 2000+ runs | Consistent scoring |
| Jasprit Bumrah | All | 50+ wickets | Death overs expert |
Top New Zealand Players vs India
| Players | Format | Runs/Wickets | Notable Performance |
| Kane Williamson | All | 1800+ runs | ICC tournament hero |
| Trent Boult | ODI/T20 | 60+ wickets | Swing master |
| Ross Taylor | ODI | 1200+ runs | Middle-order anchor |
| Tim Southee | All | 50+ wickets | Test match impact |
Notable Captains in India vs New Zealand Matches
Leadership has played a crucial role in shaping the outcomes of India vs New Zealand matches. Captains like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Kane Williamson have led with tactical brilliance.
Captaincy Stats
| Captain | Team | Matches | Wins | Notable Series |
| MS Dhoni | IND | 40+ | 25+ | 2011 WC, 2013 CT |
| Virat Kohli | IND | 30+ | 20+ | 2019 NZ tour |
| Kane Williamson | NZ | 35+ | 18+ | 2021 WTC Final |
| Brendon McCullum | NZ | 20+ | 10+ | 2014 Test Series |
Records and Achievements in India vs New Zealand Matches
India vs New Zealand matches have produced record-breaking performances and unforgettable milestones.
Highest Team Totals
| Team | Format | Score | Venue | Year |
| IND | ODI | 392/4 | Christchurch | 2009 |
| NZ | ODI | 349/7 | Hamilton | 2014 |
Best Bowling Performances
| Player | Team | Format | Figures | Venue |
| V. Chakaravarthy | IND | ODI | 5/42 | Dubai |
| M. Santner | NZ | Test | 7/53 | Pune |
India vs New Zealand in ICC Tournaments
| Tournament | Year | Winner | Stage |
| ICC WC | 2019 | NZ | Semi-Final |
| ICC WC | 2023 | IND | Semi-Final |
| ICC WTC | 2021 | NZ | Final |
| ICC CT | 2025 | IND | Final |
Future Encounters to Watch between India vs New Zealand
India and New Zealand are scheduled to face off in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, followed by a bilateral series in late 2025 that will feature Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Fans can expect intense battles, especially with both teams in strong form.
India and New Zealand are due to meet in:
- 2025 Test Series (India tour of NZ)
- 2025 T20I Series
- 2026 ODI Series
Frequently Asked Questions
When did India and New Zealand first play against each other in cricket?
They first met in a Test match in 1955 in Delhi.
Which team has won more matches between India and New Zealand?
Overall, India has won more matches across formats.
Who is the highest run-scorer in India vs New Zealand matches?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most runs in this rivalry.
Which bowler has taken the most wickets in India vs New Zealand matches?
Richard Hadlee has taken the most wickets overall.
How have India and New Zealand performed in ICC tournaments?
New Zealand has had the edge in ICC knockout matches, while India has dominated in league stages.
Final Thought
India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team rivalry is a combination of tradition, talent, and uncertainty. These games have been the subject of historic initial encounters as well as thrilling games in the contemporary world that have attracted the interest of cricket fans across the globe.
With upcoming tournaments and series, one can expect the rivalry to be even more dramatic, and this is what will be remembered as some of the greatest cricketing moments. Thank you all for reading this article.
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