New Zealand vs India Timeline – Head-to-Head & Key Matches
The cricketing rivalry between India and New Zealand has produced some of the most memorable encounters in the sport’s history. With 219 matches across all formats, India leads the head-to-head count 102 to 79, but New Zealand has consistently outperformed India in high-pressure ICC knockout contests. This comprehensive timeline covers every major milestone, head-to-head records by format, the upcoming 2026 tour schedule, and everything fans need to know about this fascinating rivalry.
From the first Test series in 1955‑56 to the anticipated ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in 2026, the two teams have met in all conditions and contexts. The 2024–25 home Test whitewash by India, New Zealand’s historic Test series win in India in 2021, and their dominant ICC tournament record against India form the key storylines that continue to evolve. This resource brings together verified statistics, official schedule data, and ticketing information for the forthcoming New Zealand tour of India in 2026.
What is the upcoming India vs New Zealand cricket schedule?
India 22 wins / NZ 15 wins / 15 draws
India 59 wins / NZ 50 wins / 3 no result
India 16 wins / NZ 12 wins / 2 no result
Test – 1955‑56 (India), drawn series
Key insights about the rivalry
- India holds a dominant edge in ODIs and T20Is overall, but New Zealand has won the most crucial ICC tournament meetings, including the 2021 World Test Championship final and the 2021 T20 World Cup.
- In Test matches, India has a stronger home record; New Zealand’s 2‑0 series win in India in 2021 was the first time they had won a Test series on Indian soil.
- The rivalry has produced numerous close finishes in T20 World Cups, with New Zealand unbeaten against India in that tournament until 2024.
- The upcoming 2026 tour of India will test New Zealand’s rebuilding squad on subcontinental pitches, while India looks to maintain dominance before the 2027 ODI World Cup.
- Four Indian batters – Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma – have scored more than 1,000 runs in the rivalry.
- New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum holds the highest individual score ever in the rivalry: 302 in Wellington in 2014.
- India’s 46 all out in Mumbai in 2024 is the lowest team total ever posted in the rivalry.
Recent results and upcoming fixtures
| Format | Date | Venue | Result / Scheduled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | Oct 2024 | Bengaluru | India won by 12 runs |
| Test | Nov 2024 | Pune | India won by an innings |
| Test | Nov 2024 | Mumbai | India won by 3‑0 (whitewash) |
| ODI | Jan 2026 | Vadodara | Scheduled (1st ODI) |
| ODI | Jan 2026 | Rajkot | Scheduled (2nd ODI) |
| T20I | Jan 2026 | TBC | Scheduled (T20I series) |
What is the India vs New Zealand head-to-head record?
India vs New Zealand head to head ODI
According to data from ESPNcricinfo, as of March 2025 India and New Zealand have played 119 ODIs. India have won 59, New Zealand 50, with 3 no results. The two sides met in a group‑stage match during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. New Zealand’s last bilateral ODI series win against India came in 2014 at home; India have won every bilateral ODI series since, including a 3‑0 sweep in New Zealand in 2022.
IND vs NZ T20 record
Thirty T20 T20Is have been played between the sides, with India winning 16, New Zealand 12, and 2 ending in no result. New Zealand hold a significant psychological edge in T20 World Cup meetings: they defeated India in 2007 (Super 8), 2016 (Nagpur), and 2021 (by 8 wickets). The ICC official records note that New Zealand had never lost to India in T20 World Cup history prior to 2024.
Despite India’s overall T20I advantage, New Zealand have won all three ICC T20 World Cup meetings between the teams. That unbeaten streak ended only when the sides last met in a non‑ICC T20I bilateral series in 2023, which India won 2‑1.
India vs New Zealand Test match history
For matches played in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) typically partners with BookMyShow as the official ticketing platform. For matches in New Zealand, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) uses Ticketmaster. Official announcements about ticket sales for the 2026 home series are expected a few weeks before each match. The safest source is always the BCCI official website and NZC official websites.
Match venues and capacities
The 2026 ODI series has two confirmed venues: Vadodara (Narendra Modi Stadium B Ground, capacity approximately 45,000) and Rajkot (Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, capacity around 28,000). The T20I venues have not been announced yet, but earlier tours have used Ranchi, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad (Narendra Modi Stadium, capacity 132,000). The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final is reported to be at the Narendra Modi Stadium as well, according to ICC promotional materials.
Unofficial resellers may offer tickets at inflated prices. Only use BCCI’s authorised partner BookMyShow for matches in India. For matches in New Zealand, use Ticketmaster. Always verify the official schedule before purchasing.
Ticket availability for 2026 series
As of mid‑2025, tickets for the January 2026 New Zealand tour of India are not yet on sale. Fans are advised to monitor the BCCI website and NZC’s official pages for release dates. The high demand for India matches means tickets often sell out on the first day of public sale. Check BCCI’s official press releases for the most accurate updates.
What is the chronological timeline of India vs New Zealand matches?
- 1955‑56: First Test series between India and New Zealand in India – drawn 0‑0.
- 1975: First ODI meeting at the Prudential World Cup – New Zealand won.
- 2000: New Zealand tour of India – 2‑Test series won 1‑ by India.
- 2016: India tour of New Zealand – 3‑ODI series won 3‑2 by India.
- 2019: ICC Cricket World Cup semi‑final – New Zealand beat India by 18 runs.
- 2021: ICC World Test Championship final – New Zealand beat India by 8 wickets.
- 2021: New Zealand tour of India – 2‑Test series won 2‑0 by New Zealand (first Test series win in India).
- 2024‑25: New Zealand tour of India – 3‑Test series whitewashed 3‑0 by India.
- 2026 (upcoming): New Zealand tour of India – ODI series (Jan 11, 14) and T20I series (dates TBC). Also reported: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final between the two sides.
What certain and what is uncertain about the India vs New Zealand rivalry?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| India leads overall head‑to‑head with 102 wins to New Zealand’s 79 (all formats, as of early 2025) – sourced from ESPNcricinfo records. | Exact T20I series dates and venues for 2026 have not been announced; they are subject to official schedule release by BCCI. |
| 2026 ODI series dates (Jan 11 and Jan 14) are confirmed by Cricbuzz and BCCI sources. | Tickets for the 2026 series are not yet on sale; official ticketing partners have not been formally announced for this specific tour. |
| New Zealand’s 630/6 (Mohali, 2003) is the highest team total in the rivalry – confirmed by multiple record sources. | The exact match‑up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final on March 8, 2026, is based on search‑result snippets and ICC promotional materials; the full schedule is not yet published. |
What is the broader context of the India vs New Zealand rivalry?
The India–New Zealand rivalry has evolved from a modest contest to one of cricket’s most intriguing matchups, especially in ICC knockout stages. While India has a clear edge in overall bilateral ODIs and T20Is, Zealand has won the two most important global finals between the sides (2021 World Test Championship, 2021 T20 World Cup). The pattern is striking: India dominates the aggregate numbers, but New Zealand tends to win the biggest, most decisive matches.
Individual duels have defined the rivalry: Rahul Dravid versus Shane Bond in the early 2000s, Virat Kohli versus Trent Boult in limited‑overs, and Kane Williamson versus Jasprit Bumrah in recent years. The upcoming 2026 tour of India will test New Zealand’s rebuilding squad on subcontinental pitches, while India will look to maintain dominance before the 2027 ODI World Cup. That series also serves as preparation for both teams ahead of the next ICC Champions Trophy.
What do experts say about the India vs New Zealand rivalry?
According to ESPNcricinfo’s statistical analysis, the head‑to‑head records show India’s stronger aggregate performance across formats. The ICC’s official retrospective on India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup meetings highlights New Zealand’s remarkable tournament record: they had not lost a T20 World Cup match to India until the 2024 edition. Post‑match reports from the 2024‑25 Test series quoted Rohit Sharma acknowledging New Zealand’s “fight and resilience” despite the whitewash. The BCCI official website remains the definitive source for schedule and touring details.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has emphasised the importance of the 2026 tour as a chance for younger players to gain experience in Indian conditions. Expert commentators note that the rivalry’s unpredictability – India’s home dominance versus New Zealand’s big‑match temperament – makes it one of the most compelling in world cricket.
What’s next for the India vs New Zealand rivalry?
The immediate focus is the New Zealand tour of India in January 2026, comprising two ODIs and a T20I series. That will be followed later in the year by India’s likely return tour of New Zealand (dates to be confirmed). Both teams are also expected to meet in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with a final reportedly scheduled for March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. For the full upcoming itinerary, check the New Zealand national cricket team home schedule 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When did New Zealand last beat India in a Test series?
New Zealand last beat India in a Test series in 2021, winning the World Test Championship final and then a 2‑0 home series in India. India won the most recent series (2024‑25) 3‑0.
Who is the leading run‑scorer in India vs New Zealand ODIs?
Rahul Dravid holds the record for most runs in the rivalry across all formats with 1,659 runs in 15 matches.
Which Indian bowler has most wickets against New Zealand?
Kumble has taken the most wickets for India against New Zealand in Tests (45). In ODIs, Zaheer Khan leads with 27 wickets.
What is the highest team total in IND vs NZ T20Is?
India’s 225/5 in 2023 (Mount Maunganui) is the highest team total in the T20I rivalry. New Zealand’s highest is 219/7 in the same match.
Are there any neutral venue matches between India and New Zealand?
Yes, several neutral‑venue matches taken place in ICC tournaments, most notably the 2019 World Cup semi‑final in Manchester and the 2021 T20 World Cup match in Dubai.
How can I watch the 2026 series live?
Broadcast rights in India typically belong to Disney+ Hotstar and Star Sports; in New Zealand, matches are shown on Sky Sport NZ. Check official broadcasters closer to the series.
What is the biggest win margin in India vs NZ Tests?
India’s victory by an innings and 198 runs at Nagpur in 2010 is the biggest win by innings in the rivalry.
For official schedule updates, visit the BCCI official website. New Zealand Cricket’s upcoming tours page lists confirmed fixtures.icinfo.com/records/headtohead/new-zealand-india-5vs6″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>ESPNcricinfo Records – New Zealand vs India. Current team rankings are available at the ICC Rankings page. The Wikipedia article on New Zealand cricket team in India in 2024‑25 provides a detailed tour summary.
For a related rivalry analysis, read the India national cricket team head-to-head vs England article.
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