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One of the most thrilling duels in the world of cricket is the India national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline. The two sides have had plenty of exciting clashes over the years across all three formats of the international game: Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. This article will focus on when the two teams have faced off, stats, and the best moments from their showdowns.
Overview of India vs New Zealand matches through history
India’s cricketing history with New Zealand goes back to the early 1950s. Their first match set the stage for a decades-long competitive rivalry that has become a global sporting extravaganza. India may have a more prosperous overall cricketing legacy. Still, New Zealand has usually been a tough nut to crack, especially at Critical Times.
The first match Between India vs New Zealand
India and New Zealand played their first Test match against each other in 1955 in Hyderabad. Also, it was the beginning of a long, thrilling rivalry. While both nations took time to get into the groove of international cricket, they sowed the roots of a captivating and close-knit cricketing rivalry.
India vs New Zealand 1955 Test Series Full Summary
India and New Zealand played a 5-match Test series in 1955, marking a historic cricketing contest. So, here’s a detailed breakdown of each match in the series:
| Match No. | Date | Venue | Result | Key Highlights |
| 1st Test | Nov 19–24, 1955 | Hyderabad | Match Drawn | Polly Umrigar scored 223*, Pankaj Roy 173, and John Reid 120. |
| 2nd Test | Dec 2–7, 1955 | Bombay (Mumbai) | India won by an innings & 27 runs | Vinoo Mankad’s all-round performance, scoring 223 and taking wickets. |
| 3rd Test | Dec 17–22, 1955 | Calcutta (Kolkata) | India won by 132 runs | Polly Umrigar’s century, Subhash Gupte’s 7-wicket haul. |
| 4th Test | Jan 6–11, 1956 | Madras (Chennai) | Match Drawn | Vijay Manjrekar and Polly Umrigar’s fifties, slow pitch led to a draw. |
| 5th Test | Jan 21–26, 1956 | Delhi | India won by an innings & 109 runs | Vinoo Mankad’s brilliant bowling, India’s dominant victory. |
Series Result: India won the 5-match series 2-0.
Important Elements of India vs. New Zealand Cricket History
T20I Matches
India and New Zealand have been equally enthralling in T20 cricket. They played their first T20I match against each other in 2007. Historically, New Zealand has had the better of it with India in the formative years of T20 cricket. However, India has enjoyed a stranglehold on the format in more recent times.
One-Day Internationals
The teams met for the first time in ODIs in the 1975 World Cup. They have had close calls in years past indeed, some having more drama than others, including a World Cup clash in 2019 in which New Zealand knocked out India in a tight run chase.
Test Matches
These two sides first met in the Test format in 1955, and both have played out some iconic Test matches over the years. For instance, one of the better ones was the 1968 series, in which India clinched its maiden Test series victory overseas when it beat New Zealand in their shelter.
Here The Latest Statistics Table Of India vs. New Zealand Cricket
| Format | Total Matches | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draws/Ties/No Result | Latest Highlights |
| Test Matches | 64 | 22 | 14 | 28 Draws | New Zealand created history with a 3-0 Test series win in India (2024), their first-ever clean sweep in India. |
| ODIs | 118 | 59 | 51 | 8 No Results | Both teams remain competitive, with New Zealand improving its record against India. |
| T20Is | 25 | 13 | 11 | 1 Tie | The T20 format remains closely contested, with thrilling matches in recent years. |
Highlights of the India vs New Zealand cricket match
In Word Cup
The 2019 World Cup semifinal will go down in cricketing history as one of the best contests ever between the two nations. New Zealand’s snatching of a thrilling title while defending a modest total sent shockwaves through cricket.
Test Series
A defining milestone was India’s tour to New Zealand in 1968, the first time India won a Test series outside India. Also, it established a new benchmark for Indian cricket’s supremacy overseas.
India vs New Zealand: Legendary Players & Top Performers
India’s Top Players
- Sachin Tendulkar: Holds the record for scoring the most runs in ODIs and Tests against New Zealand and played a few match-winning innings.
- Virat Kohli: Kohli is a modern-day legend, and some of his best innings have come against the Kiwis in the ICC tournaments.
- Ravichandran Ashwin: India’s leading Test wicket-taker against New Zealand. With his off-spin wizardry, he torments their batsmen like only he can.
- During the late 90s and early 2,0s, India’s bowler, Anil Kumble, was a key figure in the Indian bowling attack, which clobbered ring New Zealand in the home and away series.
- Rohit Sharma: One of the most destructive batters, Rohit has troubled New Zealand’s bowlers in ODIs and T20Is, including his famous double century.
New Zealand’s Top Performers
- Richard Hadlee: Arguably the best cricketer in New Zealand’s history, Hadlee’s fast bowling devastated India’s batting in the 1980s.
- Kane Williamson: As one of New Zealand’s finest batsmen, Williamson has led from the front, scoring some drool-worthy Test innings against India.
- Martin Crowe: An elegant stroke player who troubled India’s bowlers for most of the 1980s and early 1990s.
- Ross Taylor: New Zealand’s one of the most consistent and reliable middle-order batsmen. Taylor has played many match-defining innings against India in all formats.
The Best Captains in India vs New Zealand Matches
Over the years, leadership has had a significant impact on the India vs. New Zealand cricket rivalry. Whether it was Sunil Gavaskar and MS Dhoni for India or Stephen Fleming and Kane Williamson for New Zealand, captains have been at the forefront of their teams’ success.
Recently Best Captains India vs New Zealand Matches
Rohit Sharma has captained India as an attacking batsman in recent years. At the same time, Tom Latham and Tim Southee took charge of New Zealand in Williamson’s absence. Kane Williamson’s leadership and strategies led New Zealand to their maiden ICC World Test Championship glory in 2021 after they defeated India in the finals. Virat Kohli’s captaincy also saw India win nine out of 11 Test series against New Zealand.
Competition at the ICC Events
Matches between India and New Zealand in the context of ICC events, especially World Cups, have been nail-biting encounters. Their meetings have high drama and unpredictability written all over them, as evidenced by the 2019 World Cup.
Highlights
Best Team Scores
- India: 524/9 declared in a Test match against New Zealand in 2009.
- New Zealand: 680/8 declared in a Test match against India in 2020.
Top Bowling Results
- Anil Kumble (India): Achieved remarkable bowling figures of 10 wickets for 74 runs in a Test match against New Zealand.
- Richard Hadlee (New Zealand): Recorded multiple 10-wicket hauls in Test matches against India, showcasing his dominance.
Highest Run-Scorers
- India: Sachin Tendulkar amassed over 2,000 runs across all formats against New Zealand, making him the leading run-scorer for India in these encounters.
- New Zealand: Kane Williamson stands as the top run-scorer for New Zealand in Test matches against India, reflecting his consistent performance.
Recent Matches and Series Between India vs New Zealand
Over the last few years, India and New Zealand have crossed paths in exquisite contests. In a T20I series in 2020, India won 5-0. In Test cricket, New Zealand had a one-up, famously winning the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021.
After India won the bilateral ODI and T20I series in 2022 and 2023, New Zealand went on to make history in 2024 as the first team to whitewash India 3-0 in a Test series on Indian soil. Also, it was a significant turning point in their heads-up contest. Besides this, it reaffirmed New Zealand’s growing supremacy in the longest format.
Recent ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Match Between India vs New Zealand
India defeated New Zealand by 44 runs in a group-stage match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 2, 2025. New Zealand won the toss and, consequently, decided to bowl first. India scored 249/9 in 50 overs, courtesy of a magnificent 79 runs scored by Shreyas Iyer. Furthermore, Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, taking 5 for 42. Following on, a valiant 81-run innings by captain Kane Williamson saw New Zealand fold for 205 runs. Additionally, in a good bowling attack for India, Varun Chakravarthy rattled New Zealand twice for a five-wicket haul, ultimately ending up with 5 scalps in exchange for 42.
Match Summary
| Match Details | Information |
| Date | March 2, 2025 |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| Match Type | ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group Stage |
| Toss | After winning the toss, New Zealand decided to field |
| India’s Innings | 249/9 in 50 overs |
| Top Scorer (India) | Shreyas Iyer – 79 runs |
| Notable Bowler (New Zealand) | Matt Henry – 5/42 |
| New Zealand’s Innings | 205 all out in 46.3 overs |
| Top Scorer (New Zealand) | Kane Williamson – 81 runs |
| Notable Bowler (India) | Varun Chakravarthy – 5/42 |
| Result | India won by 44 runs |
Effects of the Weather on India vs. New Zealand Events
Playing conditions, such as the swinging pitches of New Zealand or the spinning tracks of India, are the essential influencing factors that often determine the results of contests between these two teams.
Here Are All Matches Table Of India vs New Zealand ( 1955 to 2025 )
| Year | Format | Series/Venue | Result | Highlights |
| 1955/56 | Test | New Zealand Tour of India | India won 2-0 (5-match series) | India’s first-ever Test series against New Zealand. |
| 1967/68 | Test | India Tour of New Zealand | India won 3-1 (4-match series) | India’s first Test series win in New Zealand. |
| 1975 | ODI | First ODI Encounter (Auckland, New Zealand) | New Zealand won by 80 runs | First-ever ODI match between India and New Zealand. |
| 1980/81 | Test | India Tour of New Zealand | New Zealand won 1-0 (3-match series) | New Zealand’s first-ever Test series win over India. |
| 1987/88 | ODI | India Tour of New Zealand | New Zealand won 4-0 (4-match series) | New Zealand dominated at home. |
| 1995/96 | ODI | New Zealand Tour of India | India won 3-2 (5-match series) | A closely contested series with India emerging victorious. |
| 1999/00 | Test | New Zealand Tour of India | India won 1-0 (3-match series) | India’s consistent home performance continued. |
| 2002/03 | Test | India Tour of New Zealand | New Zealand won 2-0 (2-match series) | New Zealand dominated at home. |
| 2002/03 | ODI | India Tour of New Zealand | New Zealand won 5-2 (7-match series) | New Zealand’s strong ODI performance at home. |
| 2007 | T20I | First T20I Encounter (Johannesburg, South Africa) | New Zealand won by 10 runs | First-ever T20I match between India and New Zealand. |
| 2008/09 | Test | India Tour of New Zealand | India won 1-0 (3-match series) | India’s first Test series win in New Zealand after 41 years. |
| 2010/11 | ODI | New Zealand Tour of India | India won 5-0 (5-match series) | India achieved a clean sweep in the ODI series. |
| 2016/17 | Test | New Zealand Tour of India | India won 3-0 (3-match series) | India dominated at home. |
| 2016/17 | T20I | New Zealand Tour of India | Series drawn 1-1 (2-match series) | Both teams shared honors in the T20I series. |
| 2018/19 | ODI | India Tour of New Zealand | India won 4-1 (5-match series) | India dominated the series in New Zealand. |
| 2019/20 | Test | India Tour of New Zealand | New Zealand won 2-0 (2-match series) | New Zealand secured a dominant series win. |
| 2019/20 | T20I | India Tour of New Zealand | India won 5-0 (5-match series) | India’s first-ever T20I whitewash in New Zealand. |
| 2021 | Test | ICC World Test Championship Final (Southampton, England) | New Zealand won by 8 wickets | New Zealand won the inaugural WTC. |
| 2021/22 | T20I | New Zealand Tour of India | India won 3-0 (3-match series) | India dominated the T20I series at home. |
| 2022/23 | ODI | New Zealand Tour of India | India won 3-0 (3-match series) | India secured a clean sweep at home. |
| 2024/25 | Test | New Zealand Tour of India | New Zealand won 3-0 (3-match series) | New Zealand achieved a historic series whitewash in India. |
| 2024/25 | T20I | New Zealand Tour of India | Upcoming Series | Anticipated to be a thrilling contest. |
| 2025 | ODI | India vs. New Zealand (Group Stage) – ICC Champions Trophy | India won by 44 runs | India defeated New Zealand in the group stage. |
| 2025 | ODI | ICC Champions Trophy Final (Dubai, UAE) | To be played on March 9, 2025 | India and New Zealand face off in a high-stakes final. |
FAQs About India vs New Zealand
1. In the series between India and New Zealand, which team has won more games?
Overall, India has won more games, especially in Test and One-Day International matches.
2. When was the first cricket match between New Zealand and India played?
The first Test match between India and New Zealand took place in Hyderabad in 1955.
3. In cricket Match between India and New Zealand, who are the best players?
Kane Williamson for New Zealand and Sachin Tendulkar for India are two of the best players. But in recent matches, Virat and Rohit also playing well.
4. When did India defeat New Zealand in their first Test series?
In 1968, India defeated New Zealand 3-1 in their first Test series victory.
Conclusion
The India national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline has conceivably the best cricket encounters. Although stats-wise, India has driven New Zealand under the bus, the latter’s skill to perform when it matters sets the rivalry apart and is something that fans of both teams would love to see.
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