Introduction
The cricket rivalry between the India National Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team is a story woven with intense competition, remarkable performances, and memorable moments spanning seven decades. From their initial encounters in 1955 till the present day in 2025, the india national cricket team vs new zealand national cricket team timeline reveals a journey brimming with excitement and sportsmanship. What started as occasional tours has matured into a compelling rivalry contested fiercely across all formats — Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals (T20Is). Both teams have pushed each other to the limits, producing stunning victories and nail-biting finishes that have captivated cricket fans worldwide.
This timeline reflects not only the evolution of cricket tactics and standards but also the mutual respect and growing rivalry, fueled by some of the sport’s greatest talents. Whether it’s the tactical battles in long-format Tests or the explosive clashes in T20s and World Cups, this rivalry continues to enrich international cricket’s landscape.
Table of Contents
Head-to-Head Overview (All Formats)
| Format | Matches Played | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draws/Ties/No Result | India Win % | New Zealand Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 66 | 22 | 17 | 27 | 33.33% | 25.76% |
| ODI | 119 | 61 | 50 | 8 (including 1 tie) | 51.26% | 42.01% |
| T20I | 27 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 51.85% | 37.04% |
| Total | 212 | 97 | 77 | 38 | 45.75% | 36.32% |
Timeline of India vs New Zealand Matches (1955–2025)
1955–1970: Early Encounters and Growing Rivalry
| Year | Format | Tournament/Series Name | Venue | Winner | Result Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955/56 | Test | India Tour of NZ | India | Drawn | Series drawn 2-0 with 3 draws |
| 1964/65 | Test | NZ Tour of India | India | India | India won series 1-0 |
| 1967/68 | Test | India Tour of NZ | New Zealand | India | India won series 3-1 |
| 1969/70 | Test | NZ Tour of India | India | Mixed | Series drawn 1-1 |
During this foundational period, India and New Zealand laid the bedrock of their rivalry through several hard-fought Test series. Matches were characterized by batting resilience and strategic bowling, with most results ending in draws. India gained an early edge in this rivalry with series wins on Kiwi soil, signaling the beginning of a competitive spirit that would grow dramatically in years to come.
1971–1990: Era of Competitiveness and New Formats
| Year | Format | Tournament/Series Name | Venue | Winner | Result Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975/76 | ODI | Early ODI Matches | New Zealand | Mixed | Series shared, closely fought |
| 1976/77 | Test | NZ Tour of India | India | India | India won 2-0 |
| 1980/81 | Test | India Tour of NZ | New Zealand | NZ | Series won by NZ 1-0 |
| 1988/89 | Test | NZ Tour of India | India | India | India won 2-1 |
The introduction of ODIs added a fresh dynamic to this cricketing rivalry, with both teams taking time to adapt. The Test battles intensified, with both teams enjoying occasional victories. This era also witnessed the first glimpses of iconic players who would become legends in their own right, contributing to the growing allure of the india vs new zealand rivalry.
1991–2010: Expanding Tensions and Explosive ODI Battles
| Year | Format | Tournament/Series Name | Venue | Winner | Result Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993/94 | Test | India Tour of NZ | New Zealand | Drawn | Match drawn |
| 1998/99 | ODI | ICC Cricket World Cup | Various | Mixed | Intense World Cup clashes |
| 2002/03 | Test | India Tour of NZ | New Zealand | NZ | Series won 2-0 |
| 2003/04 | ODI | India Tour of NZ | New Zealand | India | India won crucial matches |
The 1990s and early 2000s were marked by thrilling ODIs and the birth of the T20 format. Both sides sharpened their skills in limited-overs cricket, producing some classic matches. New Zealand’s pace attack flourished, while India began to find stability with their burgeoning batting line-up, setting the stage for high-stakes contests in ICC tournaments.
2011–2025: Modern Era—High Drama and Iconic Moments
| Year | Format | Tournament/Series Name | Venue | Winner | Result Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ODI | ICC Cricket World Cup Semifinal | England | NZ | NZ won by 18 runs, stunning upset |
| 2021 | Test | ICC World Test Championship Final | England | NZ | NZ won by 8 wickets, historic win |
| 2024 | ODI | ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | Dubai | India | India won Final by 4 wickets |
| 2025 | ODI | ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | Dubai | India | Series victory over New Zealand |
The last decade has witnessed the rivalry reach new heights, with critical matches in ICC events shaping the global cricket narrative. Featuring star players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Kane Williamson, and Trent Boult, these contests have unveiled brilliant batting, fierce bowling, and dramatic finishes, reinforcing the india vs new zealand rivalry as one of modern cricket’s most admired.
Iconic Matches and Rivalry Moments
- 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup Semifinal (England): New Zealand stunned the cricketing world by defeating India by 18 runs in a gripping semi-final. Kane Williamson’s composed 67* and Matt Henry’s 3-wicket haul were pivotal, ending India’s title defense and establishing a memorable chapter in india vs new zealand world cup record history.
- 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final: Held at the rose bowl, Southampton, New Zealand clinched their maiden ICC Test Championship by outplaying India in a closely contested match. The bowling brilliance of Kyle Jamieson and the solidity shown by Will Young were key to this historic victory.
- 2025 ICC Champions Trophy Final (Dubai): India triumphed over New Zealand by 4 wickets in a tightly fought final, with stellar performances from Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav, marking a significant success in india national cricket team vs new zealand national cricket team timeline.
Statistical Records & Key Performers
Top 5 Run Scorers (All Formats)
| Player Name | Matches | Runs | Best Performance | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 120 | 4900 | 175* | 1990–2012 |
| Virat Kohli | 95 | 4700 | 183 | 2008–2025 |
| Kane Williamson | 85 | 4100 | 148* | 2010–2025 |
| Ross Taylor | 90 | 3900 | 131 | 2006–2023 |
| Rahul Dravid | 75 | 3500 | 144 | 1995–2011 |
Top 5 Wicket Takers (All Formats)
| Player Name | Matches | Wickets | Best Performance | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anil Kumble | 70 | 130 | 6/45 | 1990–2008 |
| Tim Southee | 60 | 105 | 5/50 | 2008–2025 |
| Javagal Srinath | 50 | 95 | 5/18 | 1995–2006 |
| Ishant Sharma | 55 | 90 | 5/50 | 2007–2025 |
| Trent Boult | 65 | 100 | 6/30 | 2011–2025 |
Highest Individual Scores
| Player Name | Score | Format | Year | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 183 | ODI | 2019 | Auckland |
| Kane Williamson | 148* | Test | 2021 | Wellington |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 175* | ODI | 2009 | Mumbai |
| Ross Taylor | 131 | ODI | 2015 | Hamilton |
| Rahul Dravid | 144 | Test | 2004 | Chennai |
Best Bowling Figures
| Player Name | Figures | Format | Year | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anil Kumble | 6/45 | Test | 1999 | Mumbai |
| Tim Southee | 5/50 | ODI | 2017 | Auckland |
| Javagal Srinath | 5/18 | ODI | 2000 | Bangalore |
| Trent Boult | 6/30 | Test | 2019 | Christchurch |
| Ishant Sharma | 5/50 | Test | 2016 | Kanpur |
India vs New Zealand in ICC Tournaments
| Tournament | Matches Played | India Wins | NZ Wins | Best Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICC Cricket World Cup | 15 | 7 | 7 | NZ (2019 semi-final win) |
| ICC T20 World Cup | 7 | 4 | 3 | Mixed |
| ICC Champions Trophy | 6 | 4 | 2 | India (2025 Champions) |
| ICC World Test Champ. | 2 | 0 | 2 | NZ (2021 WTC Final win) |
Recent Matches (2023–2025)
Recent bilateral series and ICC tournaments have highlighted the continuing intensity of the india vs new zealand rivalry.
- 2023 Series: India won the home ODI series 2-1 with standout performances from Rohit Sharma and Rachin Ravindra.
- 2024 Series: New Zealand defended their home turf with a 3-0 ODI whitewash, powered by Trent Boult’s lethal bowling and Kane Williamson’s steady batting.
- 2025 ICC Champions Trophy: India defeated New Zealand twice in the tournament, including a thrilling final win in Dubai.
| Year | Format | Series | Result | Top Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ODI | India in India | India won 2-1 | Rohit Sharma, Rachin Ravindra |
| 2024 | ODI | NZ in New Zealand | NZ won 3-0 | Kane Williamson, Trent Boult |
| 2025 | ODI | ICC Champions Trophy | India won Final | Kuldeep Yadav, Rohit Sharma |
FAQs
Q1: When did India and New Zealand play their first Test match?
India and New Zealand played their first Test series against each other in the 1955-56 season.
Q2: What is India’s record against New Zealand in ODIs and T20s?
India has a slight edge with 61 ODI wins out of 119 matches and leads the T20 international head-to-head with 14 wins in 27 matches.
Q3: How many times have India and New Zealand met in ICC finals?
They have met in several ICC finals including the 2000 Champions Trophy, 2021 ICC World Test Championship final, and 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final.
Q4: Which players have the best record in India vs New Zealand matches?
Top performers include Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli in batting, with Anil Kumble and Tim Southee leading in bowling.
Q5: What is the india vs new zealand world cup record?
Matches are closely contested; New Zealand famously won the 2019 World Cup semi-final, but India has also claimed several significant wins.
Q6: How strong is the India vs New Zealand test history?
Both teams have enjoyed successes, with India holding a slight advantage in wins across 66 Test matches played between them.
Conclusion
In the rich tapestry of international cricket, the India national cricket team vs new zealand national cricket team timeline stands out as a saga of passion, skill, and thrilling sport. From humble beginnings in the 1950s through to modern high-stakes encounters, fans have been treated to a rivalry that balances tradition with explosive cricketing action. This rivalry is beloved because it transcends formats and generations, producing unforgettable moments. As both teams continue to evolve, their future encounters promise to further enrich one of cricket’s finest contests.
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