The rivalry between the India National Cricket Team and New Zealand National Cricket Team has produced some of the most thrilling encounters in cricket history. From historic Test matches to high-pressure World Cup games, these two teams have faced off in some of the most memorable contests in international cricket.
In this article, we explore the India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline, highlighting key matches, major tournaments, and unforgettable moments that have shaped their rivalry.
Early Encounters: The Beginning of a Rivalry (1950s-1970s)
The first official Test match between India and New Zealand took place in 1955 in Hyderabad. Since then, their battles across all formats have grown in intensity and importance.
India vs New Zealand – First Test Series (1955-56)
- First Match: India won the opening Test in Hyderabad, marking their first-ever victory over New Zealand.
- The five-match series ended 2-0 in India’s favor, with three draws.
During the 1960s and 1970s, both teams had their share of victories, but neither dominated the other completely. However, their encounters lacked the intensity that modern India-New Zealand matches have.
ODI Rivalry Begins (1975-2000)
The limited-overs format brought a new dimension to the rivalry. Their first-ever One Day International (ODI) match was played during the 1975 Cricket World Cup, where New Zealand defeated India by 4 wickets.
1999: New Zealand Stuns India in the ICC KnockOut Trophy
One of the most dramatic matches of the late 90s came in the ICC KnockOut Trophy 1999, where New Zealand defeated India in the final, winning their first ICC tournament. Chris Cairns played a match-winning innings, leading the Kiwis to victory.
Memorable Encounters in ICC Tournaments (2000-2019)
ICC Cricket World Cup 2003
- India defeated New Zealand in a crucial Super Six stage match, led by Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.
- The win helped India qualify for the semi-finals, while New Zealand was eliminated.
2016 T20 World Cup – India Stunned in Nagpur
- In the Super 10 stage, New Zealand shocked India by defending a low total of 126, with their spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner dismantling India’s batting lineup.
- India’s chase collapsed, and they lost by 47 runs.
2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Semi-Final – The Heartbreak for India
- One of the most memorable and heartbreaking matches for Indian fans.
- New Zealand set a modest target of 240, but India struggled early, losing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul cheaply.
- MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja’s late fightback wasn’t enough as India fell short by 18 runs, sending New Zealand to the final.
Test Cricket – WTC Final & Beyond (2020-Present)
2021 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final
- The biggest Test battle between India and New Zealand came in June 2021, when both teams faced off in the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) Final in Southampton.
- India, despite a strong bowling attack, struggled against Kane Williamson’s captaincy and Kyle Jamieson’s outstanding spell.
- New Zealand won the match by 8 wickets, becoming the first-ever World Test Champions.
India’s Test Series Victory in 2021
- Later that year, India bounced back, winning the home Test series against New Zealand 1-0.
- Mayank Agarwal’s century in Mumbai helped India secure a record 372-run victory in the second Test.
T20 Battles & Recent Clashes (2021-2024)
2021 T20 World Cup – New Zealand Dominates Again
- New Zealand once again dominated India in an ICC tournament, winning their Super 12 match by 8 wickets.
- India’s batting struggled against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack.
2023 ODI Series – India’s Revenge
- India hosted New Zealand for an ODI series and won 3-0 with dominant performances from Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Mohammed Siraj.
- Shubman Gill’s double century (208) in Hyderabad was one of the highlights of the series.
Head-to-Head Record (As of 2024)
Test Matches
- Total Matches Played: 65
- India Wins: 22
- New Zealand Wins: 14
- Draws: 29
ODI Matches
- Total Matches Played: 120
- India Wins: 60+
- New Zealand Wins: 50+
- No Result/Ties: A few
T20I Matches
- Total Matches Played: 24
- India Wins: 14
- New Zealand Wins: 10
Key Players in India vs New Zealand Rivalry
For India:
- Sachin Tendulkar – Dominated New Zealand bowling attacks in the 90s and early 2000s.
- Virat Kohli – A key figure in India’s batting lineup in recent years.
- Ravindra Jadeja – Played a crucial role in close matches, especially in World Cups.
- Shubman Gill – Emerging as a future star against New Zealand.
For New Zealand:
- Kane Williamson – A leader and consistent run-scorer.
- Ross Taylor – Played many match-winning knocks against India.
- Trent Boult & Tim Southee – Dominant bowlers in ICC tournaments.
- Kyle Jamieson – A match-winner in the WTC Final.
Future of the Rivalry
The India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team timeline continues to grow, with upcoming ICC events, bilateral series, and the next WTC cycle keeping the rivalry alive. With both teams possessing world-class talent, future matches are sure to be just as exciting.
Conclusion
From India’s first Test victory in 1955 to New Zealand’s shocking wins in World Cups, the India vs New Zealand timeline is filled with historic moments. Whether it’s the WTC Final heartbreak, the 2019 World Cup semi-final drama, or India’s recent ODI dominance, the battles between these two teams always deliver unforgettable cricketing moments.
With more encounters to come, fans can expect this rivalry to produce even more thrilling matches in the future.