Legends rivalries are a trademark of cricket, and one of international cricket’s greatest contests is the India National Cricket Team versus the New Zealand National Cricket Team. Their encounters have been memorable ones in Tests, ODI and T20Is. In general, India has dominated the records too but New Zealand has time and again won there required of the pressure, thus making this become even more intense. In this article, we will look at India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Stats, head-to-head stats, greatest matches, who were the top performers, and future fixtures.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline
First Test Match (1955)
The Test match between India and New Zealand was first played at the Hyderabad venue in 1955. For there was to be a long-standing cricketing association.
First ODI Match (1975 World Cup)
The two sides played in their first ODI encounter in the 1975 Cricket World Cup, when New Zealand claimed the win.
First T20I Match (2007)
New Zealand and Sri Lanka met in a T20I for the first time in 2007, with the New Zealanders winning.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: Head-to-Head Statistics: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is
Here is a detailed comparison of India vs New Zealand across all formats:
Overall Head-to-Head Record
| Format | Matches Played | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draws/Ties/NR |
| Tests | 63 | 22 | 13 | 28 Draws |
| ODIs | 116 | 58 | 50 | 8 No Results |
| T20Is | 24 | 13 | 10 | 1 Tie |
- India has won more Tests (22) than New Zealand (13) and the games are often drawn.
- Indian win in ODIs: India has won 58 out of 120 ODIs and New Zealand isn’t far behind as they have bagged 50 out of 128.
- India has 13 wins to New Zealand’s 10 in T20Is.
India vs New Zealand
Historic Test Matches
- India won its first overseas Test series in New Zealand during the 1968 Test Series.
- India lost to New Zealand in the 2021 World Test Championship Final to clinch the maiden WTC title.
Memorable ODIs
- New Zealand won their first-ever ODI against India in the 1975 Cricket World Cup.
- New Zealand beat India’s 18-run victory to ensure they were knocked out of the 2019 World Cup Semifinal.
Thrilling T20I Encounters
- India wins First T20I against New Zealand (2017): After 5 losses in the first 5 T20Is to New Zealand, India won the match.
- India overpowered New Zealand in the home conditions in the 2023 T20I Series.
Significant Series Wins
| Year | Series Format | Winner | Scoreline |
| 1968 | Test Series | India | 3-1 |
| 1988 | Test Series | India | 2-0 |
| 2002 | ODI Series | New Zealand | 5-2 |
| 2014 | ODI Series | New Zealand | 4-0 |
| 2020 | T20I Series | India | 5-0 |
| 2021 | WTC Final | New Zealand | Won by 8 wickets |
India’s first away Test series win (1968) was a milestone in their cricketing history.
- New Zealand’s 2019 World Cup semifinal win was one of their biggest achievements.
- India’s 5-0 whitewash in the 2020 T20I series showed their dominance in the shortest format.
Top Performers in India vs New Zealand Matches
Top Indian Players vs New Zealand
| Player | Format | Runs/Wickets | Notable Records |
| Sachin Tendulkar | Tests & ODIs | 2,000+ runs | Most runs vs NZ |
| Virat Kohli | Tests & ODIs | 1,500+ runs | Best average vs. NZ |
| Anil Kumble | Tests | 50+ wickets | Best bowling figures |
Top New Zealand Players vs India
| Player | Format | Runs/Wickets | Notable Records |
| Richard Hadlee | Tests | 65 wickets | Most wickets vs India |
| Kane Williamson | Tests & ODIs | 2,000+ runs | Best batting avg |
| Martin Crowe | ODIs | 1,200+ runs | Dominated India in the 1980s |
Notable Captains in India vs New Zealand Matches
| Country | Captain | Era | Key Achievements |
| India | Sunil Gavaskar | 1970s-80s | Led India’s Test growth |
| India | MS Dhoni | 2000s-2010s | Won multiple ICC events |
| India | Virat Kohli | 2010s-2020s | Aggressive leader |
| New Zealand | Stephen Fleming | 1990s-2000s | Tactical genius |
| New Zealand | Kane Williamson | 2010s-2020s | Won WTC Final 2021 |
MS Dhoni and Kane Williamson have been two of the most influential captains in this rivalry.
Records and Achievements
Highest Team Totals
| Team | Score | Format | Year |
| India | 524/9 | Test | 2009 |
| New Zealand | 680/8 | Test | 2020 |
| India | 392/4 | ODI | 2009 |
| New Zealand | 349/6 | ODI | 2023 |
Best Bowling Performances
| Player | Figures | Format | Year |
| Anil Kumble | 10/74 | Test | 1999 |
| Richard Hadlee | 10-wicket match hauls | Test | Multiple Years |
India vs New Zealand in ICC Tournaments
| Tournament | Year | Winner | Match Type |
| World Cup | 2019 | New Zealand | Semifinal |
| WTC Final | 2021 | New Zealand | Test |
| T20 World Cup | 2021 | New Zealand | Group Stage |
New Zealand has often surprised India in ICC events, especially in World Cups and Test Championships.
Recent Clashes (2020-2024)
| Year | Series | Winner | Key Moments |
| 2020 | T20I Series | India | 5-0 clean sweep |
| 2021 | WTC Final | New Zealand | Dominant win |
| 2022 | ODI Series | India | Dominated at home |
| 2023 | T20I Series | India | Convincing victories |
Future Encounters to Watch (2025 Onward)
India and New Zealand are due to meet in:
- 2025 Test Series (India tour of NZ)
- 2025 T20I Series
- 2026 ODI Series
None of these will help these two nations bring their brutal rivalry to a close.
The India vs New Zealand rivalry boasts some incredible matches, edge-of-the-seat moments, and records. India would have won overall but New Zealand has often done well under pressure in ICC events. Both teams always continue to evolve and what their upcoming matches boast will be even more thrilling!
FAQs
1. When did India and New Zealand first meet against each other?
Ans: India and New Zealand played in a first-ever Test match in Hyderabad in 1955. Their first ODI match was at the 1975 Cricket World Cup and T20I was in 2007.
2. Which match between India and New Zealand have you ever remembered?
Ans: The 2019 ICC World Cup semi-final against India in a low-scoring dribblers match, where New Zealand defeated India and qualified for the final, is probably one of the most memorable ones.
3. Which Indians are the best run scorers against New Zealand?
Ans: Against New Zealand, Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs for India in terms of all formats combined. Kane Williamson Is the highest run-scorer for New Zealand against India in Tests.
4. What is the next India vs New Zealand scheduled series?
Ans: Against New Zealand, Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs for India in terms of all formats combined. Kane Williamson Is the highest run-scorer for New Zealand against India in Tests.
