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India and New Zealand have developed a fascinating international cricket rivalry across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Unlike some of the more traditional rivalries in world cricket, this contest has often been shaped by major ICC tournaments, dramatic knockout matches, and closely fought series.
The two teams have met in every major format, with their rivalry dating back to India’s first Test series against New Zealand in 1955. Over the decades, New Zealand have produced several memorable victories against India, particularly in ICC tournaments, while India have built a strong overall record in recent bilateral cricket.
Their meetings have included the 2021 World Test Championship Final, the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and the 2026 T20 World Cup Final. The rivalry has therefore produced some of the biggest matches in modern international cricket.
Head-to-Head Record
India and New Zealand have played extensively across all three international formats. In men’s cricket, the Test rivalry includes 66 completed or recorded matches through the 2024-25 series, while the ODI and T20I records have expanded considerably with recent meetings.
| Format | Matches | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | Other Results |
| Tests | 66 | 22 | 16 | 27 draws, 1 abandoned |
| ODIs | 123* | 63 | 52 | 1 tie, 7 no results |
| T20Is | 31* | 17 | 11 | 3 ties |
| Total | 220 | 102 | 79 | 31 other results |
*Figures reflect the latest completed matches in the respective records available in 2026.
India have the overall advantage in wins, but New Zealand have repeatedly challenged India in major international tournaments.
Test Matches
India and New Zealand first met in Test cricket in 1955. Their Test rivalry has produced long series, drawn matches, major overseas victories, and several important moments in the development of both teams.
India have won 22 of the 66 Tests recorded between the sides, while New Zealand have won 16. A large number of matches have ended in draws, particularly during the earlier decades of the rivalry.
Early Test rivalry
The first series took place in India during the 1955-56 season. India won two of the five Tests, while the other three were drawn.
New Zealand eventually recorded its first Test victory against India during the 1967-68 tour. That series marked an important stage in New Zealand’s development as a Test nation.
India’s strong home record
India have generally been difficult to beat at home in this rivalry. Across the long history of the fixture, India have won substantially more Tests in home conditions than New Zealand.
Spin-friendly conditions have frequently played an important role, particularly in later decades when India’s attack became increasingly dependent on high-quality spinners.
New Zealand’s overseas success
New Zealand have also enjoyed important victories in India. Their 2-0 series win in India during 2024 was particularly significant, as they became the first visiting side to complete a Test series sweep against India on Indian soil.
The series included a historic victory in Bengaluru followed by further wins in Pune and Mumbai.
World Test Championship Final
One of the most important Test matches between the teams came in June 2021, when India and New Zealand met in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton.
New Zealand won the rain-affected contest by eight wickets, becoming the first World Test Championship winners.
ODI Matches
India and New Zealand have played more than 120 men’s ODIs, with India holding the overall advantage.
The ODI record is particularly interesting because New Zealand have often performed strongly against India in global tournaments, even when India’s overall bilateral record has been better.
| ODI Record | Matches | India | New Zealand | Other |
| Overall | 123 | 63 wins | 52 wins | 1 tie, 7 no results |
| In India | 43 | 32 wins | 10 wins | 1 no result |
| In New Zealand | 45 | 14 wins | 26 wins | 1 tie, 4 no results |
| Neutral venues | 35 | 17 wins | 16 wins | 2 no results |
India’s home ODI record against New Zealand is considerably stronger, while New Zealand have historically enjoyed an advantage when playing India in New Zealand.
The 2026 three-match ODI series in India added another chapter to that record. India won the opening match in Vadodara by four wickets, before New Zealand won the second match in Rajkot by seven wickets and the third in Indore by 41 runs.
T20I Matches
India and New Zealand have also produced an entertaining T20I rivalry.
The teams have met more than 30 times in men’s T20Is, with India leading the overall record. One unusual feature of this rivalry is the number of tied matches.
Three T20Is between India and New Zealand have ended in ties, with matches subsequently decided by Super Over procedures.
| T20I Record | Matches | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | Ties |
| Overall | 31 | 17 | 11 | 3 |
| In India | 17 | 12 | 5 | 0 |
| In New Zealand | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Neutral venues | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
India’s improvement in T20I cricket against New Zealand has been especially noticeable since 2017. India went through a particularly successful bilateral period, including a 5-0 T20I series win in New Zealand during 2020.
World Cup Matches
The India-New Zealand rivalry has become especially significant at the ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup.
New Zealand famously defeated India in several major ICC encounters before India eventually began reversing that trend.
2019 ODI World Cup semifinal
The 2019 World Cup semifinal at Manchester was one of the most memorable matches between the teams.
New Zealand posted 239/8 after a rain interruption. India struggled during the chase and were eventually bowled out for 221, giving New Zealand an 18-run victory.
The result sent New Zealand into the World Cup final.
2021 T20 World Cup
India and New Zealand met during the Super 12 stage of the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai.
New Zealand won by eight wickets after restricting India to 110/7 and chasing the target with relative control.
2023 ODI World Cup semifinal
The teams met again in a World Cup semifinal in Mumbai in 2023.
India scored a huge 397/4, with Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer both scoring centuries. New Zealand fought back strongly but finished on 327, giving India a 70-run victory.
Mohammed Shami was particularly influential with seven wickets.
2026 T20 World Cup Final
India and New Zealand produced another major World Cup meeting in 2026, this time in the T20 World Cup Final at Ahmedabad.
India scored heavily before restricting New Zealand with the ball. India won by 96 runs, with Jasprit Bumrah taking 4/15 and earning Player of the Match honors.
The result added another major ICC final to the history between the two teams.
Champions Trophy Matches
India and New Zealand have also met several times in the ICC Champions Trophy.
The 2000 Champions Trophy final was one of the earliest major knockout encounters between them. New Zealand defeated India in the final in Nairobi, chasing down India’s target in dramatic fashion.
The two sides met again in the 2025 Champions Trophy final in Dubai.
New Zealand scored 251/7 in 50 overs, with Daryl Mitchell making 63 and Michael Bracewell contributing 53 not out.
India successfully chased the target, reaching 254/6 in 49 overs. Rohit Sharma led the chase with 76 from 83 balls, while KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 34. India won by four wickets.
The victory gave India their third Champions Trophy title and continued the importance of the India-New Zealand rivalry in ICC knockout cricket.
Asia Cup Matches
India and New Zealand do not have the same Asia Cup history as India and several Asian opponents because New Zealand are not a regular participant in the competition.
Consequently, most of the important meetings between these teams have taken place in bilateral series, World Cups, the Champions Trophy, and the World Test Championship.
This makes their ICC tournament encounters particularly significant.
Recent India vs New Zealand Matches
The rivalry has remained active across all three formats, with several major encounters taking place in 2025 and 2026.
| Date/Year | Competition | Result |
| 2023 | ODI World Cup semifinal | India won by 70 runs |
| 2025 | Champions Trophy group stage | India won by 44 runs |
| 2025 | Champions Trophy final | India won by 4 wickets |
| Jan 2026 | 1st ODI | India won by 4 wickets |
| Jan 2026 | 2nd ODI | New Zealand won by 7 wickets |
| Jan 2026 | 3rd ODI | New Zealand won by 41 runs |
| Mar 2026 | T20 World Cup Final | India won by 96 runs |
The 2025 Champions Trophy final was particularly important because it gave India another ICC title against New Zealand after the teams had already met during the group stage.
Most Memorable Matches
2000 Champions Trophy Final
New Zealand defeated India in the Champions Trophy final in Nairobi. It remains one of the earliest major ICC final encounters between the two teams.
2019 World Cup Semifinal
New Zealand’s 18-run win in Manchester ended India’s World Cup campaign and demonstrated New Zealand’s ability to compete successfully against India in knockout cricket.
2021 World Test Championship Final
New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets at Southampton to become the first World Test Championship winners.
2023 World Cup Semifinal
India produced one of its strongest batting performances against New Zealand in an ICC knockout match, scoring 397/4 before winning by 70 runs.
2025 Champions Trophy Final
India chased New Zealand’s 251/7 and won by four wickets. Rohit Sharma’s 76 was the central batting performance of the chase.
2026 T20 World Cup Final
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad, adding another major ICC final to the rivalry. Jasprit Bumrah’s four-wicket performance was a major part of the result.
Major Records
The India-New Zealand rivalry contains several notable statistical milestones.
| Category | Notable Record |
| First Test meeting | 1955 |
| First ODI meeting | 1975 World Cup |
| First T20I meeting | 2007 |
| Most Test wins | India |
| Most ODI wins | India |
| Most T20I wins | India |
| First WTC Final | New Zealand won in 2021 |
| 2019 World Cup semifinal | New Zealand won |
| 2023 World Cup semifinal | India won |
| 2025 Champions Trophy final | India won |
| 2026 T20 World Cup final | India won |
India’s overall advantage is clearest in the ODI and T20I records, while the Test rivalry has been considerably closer.
Batting Performances
Several Indian and New Zealand batters have produced memorable performances in this fixture.
| Player | Team | Notable Performance |
| Virat Kohli | India | Century in 2023 World Cup semifinal |
| Shreyas Iyer | India | Century in 2023 World Cup semifinal |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 76 in 2025 Champions Trophy final |
| Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand | 63 in 2025 Champions Trophy final |
| Michael Bracewell | New Zealand | 53* in 2025 Champions Trophy final |
| Kane Williamson | New Zealand | Numerous major innings across formats |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | Multiple high-impact ODI performances |
Rohit Sharma’s 76 in the 2025 Champions Trophy final was particularly important because India were chasing a competitive target in a final. His innings helped establish the foundation for the successful chase.
Bowling Performances
The rivalry has also featured some outstanding bowling displays.
| Bowler | Team | Notable Performance |
| Mohammed Shami | India | 7 wickets in 2023 World Cup semifinal |
| Jasprit Bumrah | India | 4/15 in 2026 T20 World Cup final |
| Kuldeep Yadav | India | Key role in major ODI matches |
| Trent Boult | New Zealand | Important performances against India |
| Tim Southee | New Zealand | Major contributions across formats |
| Mitchell Santner | New Zealand | Effective spin performances against India |
Mohammed Shami’s seven-wicket haul during the 2023 World Cup semifinal was one of the defining bowling performances in the modern India-New Zealand rivalry.
Jasprit Bumrah’s 4/15 in the 2026 T20 World Cup final was another outstanding performance in a major knockout match.
Why India vs New Zealand Matches Are So Important
India and New Zealand have developed a rivalry that is strongly connected to major international tournaments.
The teams have repeatedly met when the stakes are highest. Their history includes World Cup semifinals, a World Test Championship final, Champions Trophy matches, and T20 World Cup contests.
Another important feature is the contrast between bilateral and tournament cricket. India have generally produced strong bilateral results, while New Zealand have repeatedly shown their ability to create difficult matches for India at ICC events.
The rivalry also provides an interesting tactical contest. Indian teams have traditionally possessed strong batting depth and spin options, while New Zealand have frequently relied on disciplined seam bowling, intelligent tactics, and adaptable all-rounders.
Conditions are another major factor. Matches in India can place greater emphasis on spin and batting against slower surfaces, while New Zealand conditions can provide movement for fast bowlers.
Upcoming India vs New Zealand Matches
India are scheduled to tour New Zealand later in 2026 for a major all-format series.
The planned tour includes two Tests, five ODIs, and five T20Is, making it one of the most extensive international tours between the two sides. New Zealand Cricket has described the 12-match itinerary as the largest international tour in its history in terms of the number of matches.
The five-match T20I series is scheduled to begin on October 22, 2026, followed by the ODI portion in November and the two-Test series later in the tour.
This tour is expected to add another substantial chapter to a rivalry that has already produced some of international cricket’s most memorable matches.
Final Thoughts
India and New Zealand have built a rivalry based less on traditional rivalry culture and more on repeated high-stakes cricket.
From the early Test series of the 1950s to the World Test Championship Final, World Cup semifinals, Champions Trophy final, and T20 World Cup final, the two teams have frequently met on major stages.
India hold the stronger overall record in the major men’s formats, but New Zealand have repeatedly produced important victories, particularly in ICC knockout matches. Their contrasting strengths, playing conditions, and tactical approaches make the fixture one of the most interesting contests in international cricket.
With another extensive all-format tour scheduled for late 2026, the history between India and New Zealand is set to continue across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have India and New Zealand played each other?
India and New Zealand have played more than 200 men’s international matches across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. The exact number changes as new fixtures are completed.
Who has won more India vs New Zealand matches?
India have the stronger overall men’s international record. They lead New Zealand in Test victories, ODI victories, and T20I victories based on the latest completed records.
When did India and New Zealand first play a Test match?
India and New Zealand first played Test cricket in 1955 during New Zealand’s tour of India.
What was the result of the 2025 Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand?
India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the 2025 Champions Trophy final in Dubai. New Zealand scored 251/7, while India reached 254/6 in 49 overs.
What was the result of the 2026 T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand?
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad. Jasprit Bumrah took 4/15 and was named Player of the Match.
