Introduction: india national cricket team vs new zealand national cricket team timeline
India and New Zealand are two cricketing powerhouses that have delivered some of the most intense and memorable matches in the sport’s history. While India boasts a vast pool of cricketing talent and fanbase, New Zealand is admired for its sportsmanship, consistency, and ability to punch above its weight. Over the decades, the India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team rivalry has grown stronger across all three formats — Test, ODI, and T20I.
In this article, we will explore the detailed timeline of their clashes, examine some fun “hibbies” (quirky or interesting facts), and highlight key statistics and turning points in their cricketing rivalry.
Table of Contents
Historical Timeline: India vs New Zealand Cricket Rivalry
Here’s a detailed timeline of major encounters between the two teams across formats, from their first match to the most recent battles.
India vs New Zealand Match Timeline (Tests, ODIs, T20Is)
| Year | Format | Venue | Result | Notable Performances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Test | Hyderabad (India) | Draw | New Zealand’s first tour of India |
| 1965 | Test | Wellington (NZ) | India won | India’s first Test win in NZ |
| 1976 | ODI | Christchurch | New Zealand won | First ODI match between both teams |
| 1988 | Test | Mumbai | Draw | Dilip Vengsarkar’s crucial century |
| 1994 | ODI | Baroda | India won | Sachin Tendulkar shines with bat |
| 1999 | Test | Wellington | New Zealand won | Chris Cairns all-round performance |
| 2003 | ODI WC | Centurion | New Zealand won | India collapsed chasing 147 |
| 2010 | Test | Ahmedabad | Draw | Harbhajan Singh’s century |
| 2014 | Test | Auckland | NZ won by 40 runs | Brendon McCullum’s double century |
| 2016 | Test | Kanpur | India won | Ashwin’s 10-wicket haul |
| 2017 | ODI | Mumbai | India won | Kohli’s 121 off 125 balls |
| 2019 | WC Semi-final | Manchester | New Zealand won | Rain-hit match, MS Dhoni’s run-out |
| 2020 | Test | Wellington | NZ won by 10 wickets | India’s batting collapse |
| 2021 | WTC Final | Southampton | NZ won by 8 wickets | New Zealand crowned WTC champions |
| 2022 | ODI | Hamilton | No Result | Rain spoils match |
| 2023 | T20I | Ahmedabad | India won | Shubman Gill’s 126* |
| 2024 | T20 WC | Barbados | India won | Bumrah’s spell led India to victory |
Hibbies: Fun & Lesser-Known Facts About India vs New Zealand
“Hibbies” are fun facts or interesting tidbits that often go unnoticed but add charm to cricket rivalries. Here are some exciting ones from the India vs New Zealand cricket saga:
First-Ever Test Drawn Entire Series
India’s first full Test series against New Zealand in 1955 ended with all five matches drawn – a rare record in international cricket.
Rahul Dravid’s Triple Role
In a Test series in 2002, Rahul Dravid was a batsman, a wicketkeeper (in ODIs), and a vice-captain – all in the same tour.
MS Dhoni’s Frozen Bat
During the 2009 tour of New Zealand, MS Dhoni jokingly complained his bat was frozen due to the extreme cold in Hamilton.
Rain—The Unofficial Umpire
Matches between India and New Zealand have frequently been affected by rain, especially in New Zealand. Even their 2019 World Cup semi-final was a two-day match due to heavy showers.
McCullum vs Dhoni: Leadership Styles
Brendon McCullum and MS Dhoni, both known for their unique captaincy styles, locked horns multiple times. While McCullum was aggressive and fast-paced, Dhoni preferred calm precision.
Kane Williamson’s Respect for Indian Culture
Kane Williamson once publicly appreciated Indian hospitality and said he enjoys Indian food — particularly butter chicken.
India’s Worst ODI Collapse
In 2019, India was bowled out for just 92 against New Zealand in an ODI, one of their lowest totals ever.
Head-to-Head Record: India vs New Zealand (As of July 2025)
Test Matches
- Total Matches Played: 62
- India Wins: 22
- New Zealand Wins: 13
- Drawn: 27
One-Day Internationals (ODIs)
- Total Matches Played: 117
- India Wins: 59
- New Zealand Wins: 50
- No Result: 8
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
- Total Matches Played: 28
- India Wins: 15
- New Zealand Wins: 12
- Tied/No Result: 1
India vs New Zealand: Rivalry by Location
India
- India dominates at home, winning most Test and ODI series.
- Spinners like Ashwin and Jadeja are particularly dangerous in Indian conditions.
New Zealand
- India has traditionally struggled in swinging and seaming conditions.
- The 2020 tour was a whitewash in Tests (2–0) in favor of the Kiwis.
Legendary Performers in India vs New Zealand Matches
Top Indian Performers
Sachin Tendulkar
- Scored over 1,700 runs against New Zealand in ODIs.
- Played many vital innings during India’s golden years.
Virat Kohli
- Consistent across all formats.
- Played a masterclass century in Mumbai (2017 ODI).
Ravichandran Ashwin
- Has taken multiple 5-wicket hauls in Tests.
- Key performer in home series wins.
Top New Zealand Performers
Kane Williamson
- Known for calm and consistent batting.
- Played a match-winning knock in the WTC final.
Brendon McCullum
- Explosive batsman and a tactically sharp captain.
- Led NZ to many ODI wins against India.
Trent Boult
- India’s nightmare with the new ball.
- Especially lethal in seaming conditions.
Memorable Matches in India vs New Zealand History
2019 ICC World Cup Semi-Final – Manchester
- Rain interrupted the match, pushing it into a reserve day.
- MS Dhoni’s emotional run-out was symbolic — India lost narrowly.
2021 WTC Final – Southampton
- New Zealand clinched the inaugural World Test Championship.
- Kyle Jamieson was the star performer with 7 wickets.
2023 T20I – Ahmedabad
- Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 126*, showcasing India’s rising youth.
- India won by a huge margin.
Key Turning Points in the Rivalry
- Kumble-Javagal Srinath era: In the 1990s, India began asserting dominance at home.
- The 2003 World Cup: A turning point when India beat NZ in warm-ups but lost in the main event.
- WTC Final (2021): New Zealand’s victory stamped their dominance in Test cricket.
- Emerging stars like Shubman Gill and Devon Conway: Signal a new era of the rivalry.
Fan Base and Culture
Indian Fans
- Passionate, loud, and deeply emotional about cricket.
- Celebrate wins with fireworks and huge street gatherings.
New Zealand Fans
- Known for their polite and respectful demeanor.
- Kiwi fans cheer for good cricket, irrespective of nationality.
Upcoming Matches Between India and New Zealand
- 2025 Champions Trophy (Pakistan): Expected to be a big clash in semi-finals or finals.
- 2026 Bilateral Series: Scheduled to be held in New Zealand, including 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 3 T20Is.
- 2027 ICC World Cup: India and New Zealand will likely face each other again in group stages or knockouts.
Conclusion
The India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team rivalry is rich in history, drama, and sportsmanship. While India has a larger cricketing footprint, New Zealand continues to be one of the few teams that consistently challenge and sometimes dominate India across formats. From rain-hit thrillers to high-voltage World Cup matches, their timeline reflects evolving cricket dynamics and rising young stars.
As both nations gear up for future contests, fans can expect more exciting battles, brilliant performances, and hopefully, fewer rain interruptions!
