India national cricket team vs new zealand national cricket team match scorecard Cricket is so deeply entwined within the cultural lives of India and New Zealand that, over the years, some of the most thrilling head-to-heads have taken place between the Indian national cricket team and the New Zealand national cricket team. The two sides have clashed in several forms of the game, generating memories that have stamped their mark on the story of the game. This article retraces the historic head-to-head battles, looking into key matches and key scorecards that have dominated their battle over the years.
India New Zealand Cricket Rivalry Overview
The cricketing career between India and New Zealand started in the 1950s. New Zealand was among the first Test-playing countries, but India was already established. The rivalry has witnessed decades of Tests, ODIs, and now T20Is. Though India cannot get over its rivalries with Australia or Pakistan, India-New Zealand matches are quite adored for their competitiveness and unpredictability.
Historic Test Match
- 1955: First Test Series
India’s first test series for New Zealand was in 1955-56 where the series was hosted in India. It was actually the first tour of New Zealand to India, and both teams played five Tests. India eventually won the series 2-0, with three matches ending in a draw.
The Key Scorecard: Polly Umrigar kept abreast of the proceedings and finished with a double century of 223 runs, even as India declared at an innings total of 537 for 3 and went on to win the game. A massive win that defined India’s supremacy in domestic Test cricket.
- 1968: India won its first overseas series.
The one historic moment of this tour is when India toured New Zealand under the captaincy of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi in 1968. India won their first Test series overseas, winning the three test series 3-1.
Rundown scorecard: In the third Test in Wellington, India managed 252 runs in the first innings. Ajit Wadekar scored a firmer 143. Bhagwat Chandrasekhar’s 6/94 proved to be demolishing for New Zealand, as India won the third Test in style.
- 2014: A record-breaking series
India’s tour of New Zealand in 2014 was memorable for the sheer brilliance displayed by players from both sides. While New Zealand won the two-Test series 1-0, Virat Kohli and Brendon McCullum delivered unforgettable performances.
McCullum’s Triple Century: On the very first day of the Wellington Test, McCullum became the first Kiwi to score a triple century (302), and at 94 for 5 New Zealand still had hopes. It finished up as a draw, but history will remember McCullum’s innings.
ODIs: The Emergence of the Limited-Overs Rivalry
- 1975 World Cup: The First Encounter
India and New Zealand played their first ODI against each other in the inaugural match of the Cricket World Cup in 1975. The Kiwis won the match easily and gave way to a close contest in the ODIs between the two teams thereafter.
Scorecard Analysis: Glenn Turner’s 114 not out helped New Zealand completely ease the meager target set by India of 231.
- 2000 ICC Knockout Trophy Final
This match at Nairobi, New Zealand gained their very first ICC major trophy. New Zealand had won the match against India under the captaincy of Stephen Fleming.
Scorecard Summary: India made 264 runs; Sourav Ganguly played fluently for 117. He, however lost over the batting of Chris Cairns 102*, which reflected his resilience during high-pressure games and took New Zealand to the victory line.
- 2019 World Cup Semi-Final
One of the most heart-stopping games in India-New Zealand history was the semi-final of the 2019 ICC World Cup. The two-day rain-affected match turned out to be a heart-wrenching one for India as New Zealand won by 18 runs.
Important scores:
New Zealand: 239/8 in 50 overs (Ross Taylor 74, Kane Williamson 67)
India: 221 all out in 49.3 overs (Ravendra Jadeja 77, MS Dhoni 50)
Matt Henry and Trent Boult’s wonderful bowling destroyed India’s top order, while Jadeja and Dhoni almost ended a miracle chase.
T20I rivalry: The thrills of the short format
- 2007 T20 World Cup
India’s first victorious term of T20 World Cup 2007 involved a loss in the group stage against New Zealand. The contest is noteworthy since it ranks among India’s few losses in their whole winning campaign.
Scorecard: New Zealand had made 190/9 with Craig McMillan quickfire 44. India could make only 180/9 and lacked behind though Virender Sehwag contributed to the score with 40.
- 2021 T20 World Cup
In the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, New Zealand again dampened Indian hopes to reach semi-finals as it defeated India during the group stage.
Scorecard snapshot: New Zealand restricted India to 110/7 in 20 overs, chasing comfortably in 14.3 overs for the loss of eight wickets. Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson chased down the target.
Players who defined the rivalry.
Sachin Tendulkar: Tendulkar’s innings against New Zealand, 186* in an ODI at Hyderabad (1999), have been brilliant.
Kane Williamson: Williamson has been a modern-day legend and has troubled India several times with his calmness and steady performances.
Rohit Sharma: The man known for big scores, Rohit Sharma’s multiple centuries against New Zealand showcase his vast domination in limited-overs cricket.
Daniel Vettori: The fact that he is left-handed has put the Indian batsmen in a tight spot, as Vettori has complete control over the game.
Apart from ICC events
- 2016 Kanpur Test
India played their 500th Test match against New Zealand in Kanpur. They marked the occasion with a dominant win.
Scorecard highlight: Ravichandran Ashwin took 10 wickets and Cheteshwar Pujara scored a century to win with a big margin for their home team.
- 2020 Christchurch Test
Tim Southee and Trent Boult spearheaded New Zealand’s fast bowlers to down India in the second Test of the series, thus securing a 2-0 victory.
Scorecard details: India were bowled out for 124 in the second innings, with Southee taking 4/28.
Statistical head-to-head
Tests: Over 60 Tests played between India and New Zealand; India have had a better win-loss record.
ODIs: Out of over 100+ ODIs, the scores have been pretty levelled, with India slightly ahead.
T20Is: The shortest format has seen close contests, though India has recently emerged victorious in a historic 5-0 win in New Zealand (2020).
Conclusion
Cricketing Rivalry between India national cricket team vs new zealand national cricket team match scorecard has provided so many moments of fun, heartbreak, and appreciation of fans from the entire world. From the historic Tests of the 1950s to the high-profile World Cups, the matches between these two countries exemplify cricket. With each encounter, players etch their names into history through some of the best performances on the field. While cricket continues to climb higher, even more exciting scorecards and never-to-be-forgotten memories are in store for the fans.
Also read India national cricket team vs Australian men’s cricket team match scorecard: Overview
