The competition between India and New Zealand in the field of cricket has become one of the most interesting tales in the history of the sport. Although the rivalry between the two teams is not as old as some other cricketing rivalries, the contests between the two have given memorable memories in the Test, ODI, and T20I. Since their initial Test matches in the 1950s to high stakes in ICC tournaments, the matches have always been accompanied by a combination of drama, intensity and respect.
The discussion of the India national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline shows not only the most memorable moments but the development of competitiveness between two world-class teams.
Early Encounters: The Beginning of the Rivalry
The timeline of the India national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team cricketing history starts in the 1955-56 season when New Zealand made their maiden visit to India to play a series of Tests. In five Test matches, India won the game 2 goals to 0 (three draws) and the relationship between the countries began with a strong cricketing relationship.
During that first game in Hyderabad, Polly Umrigar (223), Vijay Manjrekar (177) and the deadly spin of Subhas Gupte (7 for 128) delivered iconic performances which assisted India in drawing the game dominantly.
In the 1960s and 1970s the competition intensified, with India touring New Zealand in 1967-68 and winning the Test series 31, and New Zealand giving spirited opposition. Their 1976-77 tour back again intensified the battles with Indian spinners Bishan Singh Bedi and E.A.S. Prasanna in the limelight as India won the Test series 2 goals to 0 at home.
Memorable Test Matches in the Timeline
The India national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline over the decades is filled with turning points and moments of resilience through Test matches. The 2002-03 series in New Zealand was one of those milestones in the sense that India batsmen failed even as Rahul Dravid made 131 runs, yet India lost both Tests and Daryl Tuffey took 13 wickets to win the series 203.
Back home, India had traditionally had an advantage, but in foreign conditions, the swing of the conditions tended to favour New Zealand- showing that they were experts at seaming conditions. The highlight of this change was the final of the 2021 World Test Championship at Southampton where New Zealand won by eight wickets over India. Kyle Jamieson has been named Man of the Match, and New Zealand became the first Test champions in the history of the rivalry.
These matches are milestones in the long history of India vs New Zealand- a rivalry full of context, competition and cricketing excellence.
ODI Timeline: World Cups and Iconic Clashes
The ODI rivalry between the India national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team timeline started in the early 1970s although the exact first ODI is vaguely recorded in the public. Their clashes have since developed into high stakes battles both in bilateral series and ICC tournaments.
One of the decisive moves was made in the 2019 ICC World Cup semifinal in Manchester, when New Zealand won India by 18 runs on the reserve day. Matt Henry was named Player of the Match (3 for 37) and Ravindra Jadeja made a heroic 77 and MS Dhoni scored 50 in quick time, but they made a late fightback that was narrowly missed. This victory underscored New Zealand and their ability to withstand the pressure and is still a significant part of their ODI competition.
India, on bilateral fronts, dominated the 201819 India tour of New Zealand in the ODI series 4-1. In the most recent instance, in the 20223 tour of India, India was swept 30 in the series, with Shubman Gill and a dominating team effort.
Together, these matches both under global scrutiny and in bilateral contests underscore the dynamic evolution of their ODI competition.
T20I Timeline: Modern-Day Rivalry
The India national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team history of T20 International started back in the year 2007 when the first ICC world twenty two match was held in Johannesburg and New Zealand won by a 10-run margin over India. Another milestone was reached in early 2018-19 when New Zealand broke the streak of Indian wins in bilateral T20I series by winning the 3 match series 2-1 on Indian soil. India subsequently avenged this in the 2019-20 tour of New Zealand, sweeping all five T20Is – the first time they had swept the Black Caps in the format.
In January 2020, India won a super-over thriller at Seddon Park, Hamilton, further providing another dramatic twist to the rivalry that is developing. Most recently, in the 2022-23 tour of India, India won the T20I series 2-1, topped by a 168 run defeat in the final game, one of the biggest between two Test-playing countries.
Key Statistics & Records
Throughout the history of India national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team, a treasure trove of highlight performances and records contribute to this competitive rivalry. Rahul Dravid is the leader in Tests with 1,659 runs–then Sachin Tendulkar (1,595) and New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum (1,224) have the second and third spots respectively and Ravichandran Ashwin leads the wicket tally with 68 dismissals, second only to Richard Hadley with 65.
The largest Test totals are of New Zealand (680/8d at Wellington, 2014) and India (583/7d at Ahmedabad, 1999). Interestingly, the historic moments in the rivalry are highlighted by Ajaz Patel who took 10 wickets in an innings.
Sachin Tendulkar (1,750 runs) and Virat Kohli (1,645 runs) are the top run scorers in ODIs and Javagal Srinath is the top wicket taker (51). The highest individual ODI score between the teams is that of Shubman Gill, who scored 208 vs New Zealand in 2023. The highest batting performances of India are their highest ODI score of 397/4 in Mumbai, 2023 and the highest score of New Zealand is 349/9 in Rajkot, 1999.
Rohit Sharma has collected 511 runs in the T20Is; Ish Sodhi has the most wickets as an NZ player with 25. The largest T20I score in India is 234/4 (Ahmedabad, 2023) and the largest in NZ is 219/6 (Wellington, 2019).
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Timeline of Key Matches
Here’s a concise timeline of some of the most iconic cricket matches across various formats, highlighting their significance and memorable moments:
| Date | Format | Venue | Winner | Highlights/Notable Performances |
| 1877 | Test | Melbourne, Australia | Australia | The inaugural Test match between Australia and England, marking the birth of international cricket. |
| 1983 | ODI | Lord’s, London | India | India’s historic World Cup victory, defeating the West Indies and marking a significant moment in cricket history. |
| 2001 | Test | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | India | India staged a remarkable comeback against Australia, with VVS Laxman scoring 281, leading to a 171-run victory. |
| 2005 | Test | Edgbaston, Birmingham | England | England’s narrow 2-run victory over Australia in a thrilling Ashes Test, remembered for its intense finish and Freddie Flintoff’s consoling gesture towards Brett Lee. |
| 2007 | T20I | Johannesburg, South Africa | India | The inaugural T20 World Cup final where India defeated Pakistan by 5 runs, with Gautam Gambhir’s 75 setting the tone. |
| 2011 | ODI | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | India | India clinched the World Cup on home soil, with MS Dhoni’s iconic six sealing the victory over Sri Lanka. |
| 2015 | ODI | Melbourne Cricket Ground | Australia | Australia defeated New Zealand in the final, with James Faulkner’s bowling performance playing a crucial role. |
| 2019 | ODI | Lord’s, London | England | England won the World Cup in a dramatic final against New Zealand, decided by a Super Over and boundary count, with Ben Stokes’ all-round performance being pivotal. |
Final Word
The India national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline demonstrates a competition that is based on exciting matches, strength and unforgettable performances. Since historic Test comebacks and high stakes ODIs and T20 battles, both sides have played with skill and sportsmanship, and have been respected by each other on and off the field. This schedule shows the competition spirit that keeps the fans involved and looking forward to further interactions. The fans of cricket have a lot more to enjoy in the new series.
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