Introduction: india national cricket team vs new zealand national cricket team stats
The rivalry between the India National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team has given fans some truly thrilling moments across all three formats of the game. From World Cup semi-final heartbreaks to Test battles in swinging conditions, this cricketing contest is rich with drama, respect, and high-quality cricket.
In this article, we’ll explore in depth the stats, records, match timelines, major moments, and hibbies (habits, trends, and patterns) that have defined the India vs New Zealand cricket rivalry over the years.
Table of Contents
Head-to-Head Stats Overview
Overall Record Across Formats
| Format | Matches | India Won | New Zealand Won | Draw/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 62 | 22 | 13 | 27 |
| ODI | 117 | 59 | 50 | 8 |
| T20I | 27 | 13 | 10 | 4 |
| Total | 206 | 94 | 73 | 39 |
Note: Stats are updated as of July 2025.
India has a better record overall in all formats, especially in Tests and T20Is. However, New Zealand has always posed a serious challenge, especially in ICC tournaments.
India vs New Zealand in Test Matches
Test Series History
The first Test match between India and New Zealand was played in 1955 at Hyderabad. Since then, the two teams have played several memorable series both in India and in New Zealand.
- First Test series (1955-56): India hosted and won the 5-match series 2-0.
- Historic moment: New Zealand secured their first-ever Test win against India in 1968.
- Recent highlight: The 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton, where New Zealand beat India by 8 wickets.
Test Match Hibbies (Trends and Patterns)
- India at home: Dominant, with spinners like Ashwin and Jadeja thriving.
- New Zealand at home: Seam bowlers like Trent Boult and Tim Southee rule in swinging conditions.
- Key Indian Test performers:
- Virat Kohli (more than 1000 runs against NZ in Tests)
- R. Ashwin (30+ wickets vs NZ)
- Key Kiwi performers:
- Kane Williamson (Consistent against India in Tests)
- Tim Southee (40+ wickets vs India)
India vs New Zealand in ODI Matches
ODI Series and World Cup Clashes
India and New Zealand have shared a number of exciting One Day International series, both bilateral and in ICC events.
World Cup Clashes (ODIs)
| Year | Stage | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Group Stage | New Zealand won |
| 1979 | Group Stage | New Zealand won |
| 1987 | Group Stage | India won twice |
| 1992 | Group Stage | New Zealand won |
| 1999 | Super Six | India won |
| 2003 | Group Stage | India won |
| 2019 | Semi-Final | New Zealand won (18-run win) |
| 2023 | Semi-Final | India won (by 70 runs) |
ODI Stats Spotlight
- India’s biggest win: 190 runs in 2016 (Visakhapatnam)
- New Zealand’s biggest win: 200+ runs in 2019 (Hamilton)
- Most runs in India-NZ ODIs:
- For India: Sachin Tendulkar (1750+ runs)
- For NZ: Ross Taylor (1200+ runs)
- Most wickets:
- For India: Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan (over 40 wickets each)
- For NZ: Daniel Vettori (50+ wickets)
ODI Hibbies
- India’s strength: Middle-order batting depth and finishers like Dhoni and Pandya.
- NZ’s strength: Fielding and all-rounders like Santner, Neesham.
- Frequent patterns: NZ dominates when early wickets fall; India dominates in high-run chases.
India vs New Zealand in T20 Internationals
T20I Clashes
Though T20Is are the most recent format, matches between India and New Zealand have still been thrilling.
- First T20I: In 2007, New Zealand won.
- India’s T20I highlight: 5-0 whitewash in NZ (2020) — first ever by India in any away series.
- NZ’s T20I highlight: Beating India in T20 World Cup 2021 Super 12 stage.
Top T20I Performers
- For India:
- Rohit Sharma – 450+ runs
- Jasprit Bumrah – Match-winner with the ball
- For NZ:
- Martin Guptill – Explosive starts
- Ish Sodhi – India’s kryptonite in middle overs
T20I Hibbies
- India’s tactic: Bat deep, rotate strike in middle overs, explode in death.
- NZ’s formula: Strike early, bowl tight middle overs.
- Most matches are close: Super Overs have been common in past India vs NZ games.
ICC Tournament Battles: High Pressure Encounters
India vs New Zealand in ICC Events
India and New Zealand have had many emotional clashes on the world stage, especially in the last decade.
Memorable Matches:
- 2019 World Cup Semi-Final – Rain interrupted play. India faltered chasing 240. Dhoni’s run-out broke a billion hearts.
- 2021 WTC Final – Played in Southampton; New Zealand emerged champions.
- 2023 World Cup Semi-Final – India exacted revenge with Kohli’s record 50th ODI ton.
Key Players Who Have Shaped This Rivalry
Legends from India
- Sachin Tendulkar: Dominated NZ bowling in both ODIs and Tests.
- Virat Kohli: Among the top scorers in all formats against New Zealand.
- MS Dhoni: Captain cool in crunch India vs NZ World Cup matches.
Legends from New Zealand
- Kane Williamson: Calm, composed, and always delivers against India.
- Ross Taylor: Solid middle-order mainstay in ODIs and Tests.
- Daniel Vettori: Troubled Indian batters for over a decade.
Hibbies: Habits and Patterns in the Rivalry
India’s Habits
- Plays with aggressive intensity at home.
- Tends to falter in swing-friendly New Zealand conditions.
- Strong comebacks after major losses (e.g., after 2019 WC).
New Zealand’s Habits
- Calm, composed, and disciplined — “nice guys” of cricket.
- Often peak in ICC tournaments.
- Great at exploiting conditions, especially with swing and seam.
Shared Patterns
- Most games are closely fought, with thin margins.
- Middle-order collapses often decide the winner.
- Weather often plays a role, especially in NZ or England.
Fan Sentiment and Rivalry Evolution
Though not as fiery as India vs Pakistan or Australia vs England, the India-New Zealand rivalry has quietly grown into one of the most respected matchups in modern cricket.
- Indian fans admire New Zealand’s sportsmanship and consistency.
- Kiwi fans see India as a strong but respectful competitor.
- The 2021 WTC Final and 2019 WC semi-final turned this into a more emotionally charged rivalry.
Recent Matches Recap (2023–2025)
2023 World Cup Semi-Final
- Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- Result: India won by 70 runs
- Highlights: Kohli’s 50th ODI century, Shami’s 7-wicket haul
2024–25 Test Series in India
- India won 2-0
- Player of the Series: Ravindra Jadeja
- Highlight Match: Second Test in Chennai – India won by an innings and 125 runs
2025 T20I Series in NZ
- Series tied 2-2 (1 no result)
- Top scorer: Suryakumar Yadav (210 runs)
- Top wicket-taker: Lockie Ferguson (7 wickets)
Future Fixtures to Watch
Cricket boards have announced exciting upcoming contests:
- 2025 Champions Trophy (Pakistan) – Possible India vs NZ group match
- 2026 Test series in NZ
- 2027 ICC World Cup – To be jointly hosted by South Africa and Zimbabwe; potential KO clash again
Final Thoughts
The India vs New Zealand rivalry is no longer a quiet cricketing footnote — it is now one of the most respected and evenly matched rivalries in the sport. From the grace of Williamson to the fire of Kohli, from Dhoni’s calm presence to Boult’s swinging deliveries — the contests have everything a fan could ask for.
Why This Rivalry Matters
- It’s a battle of skill, not sledging.
- It’s built on mutual respect, not enmity.
- Every match adds a new chapter to a book that’s only getting better.
Whether you’re a fan of Virat’s cover drive or Williamson’s elegance, the India vs New Zealand battles promise thrills, heartbreak, and inspiration for years to come.
