The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team timeline is filled with some of the most unexpected results in international cricket. India have generally held the stronger overall record, but New Zealand have repeatedly found ways to challenge them, especially in major ICC tournaments and, more recently, on Indian soil.
One of the biggest turning points came in October 2024 at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. India were bowled out for only 46 in the first innings, with Matt Henry taking 5/15 and Tim Southee claiming 4/8. New Zealand eventually won by eight wickets.
That result became the beginning of something much bigger. New Zealand completed a historic 3-0 Test series victory in India, becoming the first visiting side to whitewash India 3-0 in a home Test series of three or more matches.
The rivalry continued into 2026. New Zealand returned to India for a three-match ODI series and won 2-1, securing their first bilateral ODI series triumph in India. Later, India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, with India making 255/5 before dismissing New Zealand for 159.
So, this is not simply a rivalry where one team dominates the other. India own the stronger long-term numbers, while New Zealand have repeatedly produced major surprises when the pressure is highest.
India vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record in 2026
| Format | Matches | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draws/Ties/NR |
| Tests | 65 | 22 | 16 | 27 |
| ODIs | 123 | 63 | 52 | 8 |
| T20Is | 31 | 19 | 11 | 1 |
| Overall | 219 | 104 | 79 | 36 |
[VERIFY] The exact combined head-to-head totals can vary depending on the statistical database and whether certain no-result or tied matches are categorized separately. The figures above follow the supplied source data and should be checked against the latest official records before publication.
India remain ahead across all three international formats. Yet New Zealand’s record is strong enough to show that this matchup has rarely been completely one-sided.
Their 2024 Test success was particularly significant because it came in India, where winning a Test series is traditionally one of cricket’s toughest assignments for visiting teams.
Complete Test Series Timeline: India vs New Zealand
| Year | Host | Series Result |
| 1955-56 | India | India won 2-0 |
| 1964-65 | India | India won 1-0 |
| 1967-68 | New Zealand | India won 3-1 |
| 1969-70 | India | Drawn 1-1 |
| 1975-76 | New Zealand | Drawn 1-1 |
| 1976-77 | India | India won 2-0 |
| 1980-81 | New Zealand | New Zealand won 1-0 |
| 1988-89 | India | India won 2-1 |
| 1989-90 | New Zealand | New Zealand won 1-0 |
| 1993-94 | New Zealand | Drawn |
| 1995-96 | India | India won 1-0 |
| 1998-99 | New Zealand | New Zealand won 1-0 |
| 1999-00 | India | India won 1-0 |
| 2002-03 | New Zealand | New Zealand won 2-0 |
| 2003-04 | India | Drawn |
| 2008-09 | New Zealand | India won 1-0 |
| 2009-10 | India | India won 1-0 |
| 2012 | India | India won 2-0 |
| 2013-14 | New Zealand | New Zealand won 1-0 |
| 2016-17 | India | India won 3-0 |
| 2019-20 | New Zealand | New Zealand won 2-0 |
| 2021 | Neutral | New Zealand won WTC Final |
| 2021-22 | India | India won 1-0 |
| 2024-25 | India | New Zealand won 3-0 |
New Zealand’s Test victories in India in 1980-81 and 2024-25 were separated by more than four decades. The second achievement was particularly striking because it was not a single upset. New Zealand won all three Tests and completed a clean sweep.
Phase 1: The Early Rivalry, 1955–2000
1955: The First Test Meetings
India and New Zealand began their Test rivalry in 1955. India eventually won that series 2-0, while three matches ended without a winner.
During the early decades, neither side had the level of global dominance associated with modern cricket. India were developing as a Test nation, while New Zealand were often competitive at home but found overseas cricket considerably more demanding.
That made the early meetings less about a fierce rivalry and more about two developing cricket nations gradually building a competitive history.
World Cup Meetings in the 1970s
The rivalry took on a different character in World Cup cricket.
New Zealand defeated India at the 1975 World Cup, with Glenn Turner producing a memorable unbeaten century. They also beat India at the 1979 World Cup.
India finally recorded their first World Cup victory over New Zealand in the 1987 edition.
That history is significant because New Zealand’s tournament performances against India have often been stronger than their overall bilateral record suggests.
Phase 2: ICC Tournaments Change the Story
2019 ODI World Cup Semi-Final: New Zealand Break India’s Momentum
The 2019 World Cup semi-final in Manchester remains one of the most memorable India-New Zealand matches.
Rain interrupted the contest, forcing the game to continue into a second day. India entered the knockout match as one of the tournament favourites, while New Zealand produced a disciplined performance when it mattered most.
New Zealand: 239/8
- Ross Taylor: 74
- Kane Williamson: 67
- Jasprit Bumrah: 2/43
- Ravindra Jadeja: 2/34
India: 221 all out
- Ravindra Jadeja: 77
- MS Dhoni: 50
- Matt Henry: 3/37
- Trent Boult: 2/42
New Zealand won by 18 runs.
India’s start was disastrous. Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli were dismissed cheaply, leaving India at 5/3.
Jadeja then produced a spectacular counterattack and formed a crucial partnership with Dhoni. Suddenly, India were back in contention.
The decisive moment came when Martin Guptill’s direct hit helped run out Dhoni. India still needed 25 runs from the final three overs, but the dismissal effectively ended their hopes.
It was a classic example of New Zealand’s ability to remain composed in high-pressure knockout cricket.
2021 World Test Championship Final: New Zealand Make History
The inaugural World Test Championship final was another important chapter.
India and New Zealand met at Southampton in June 2021, with New Zealand eventually winning by eight wickets.
New Zealand posted 249 in their first innings and later reached 140/2 while chasing 139. India managed 217 in their first innings and 170 in the second.
Kyle Jamieson was particularly influential, taking 5/31 in India’s first innings.
The conditions also mattered. Southampton offered movement for the seamers, and New Zealand’s pace attack made excellent use of the environment.
The victory gave New Zealand the distinction of becoming the first World Test Championship winners.
Phase 3: New Zealand’s Historic 2024 Test Tour of India
The 2024 Test series completely changed the modern narrative of this rivalry.
Bengaluru Test: India Bowled Out for 46
The first Test in Bengaluru produced one of the biggest shocks in India’s home Test history.
India first innings: 46 all out
- Matt Henry: 5/15
- Tim Southee: 4/8
New Zealand responded with 402, creating a huge first-innings advantage.
India fought back with 462 in their second innings, but New Zealand needed only 107 to win. They reached 110/2 and secured an eight-wicket victory.
India’s first-innings score of 46 became their lowest Test total at home. The result demonstrated how quickly conditions and a disciplined seam attack could change the contest.
Pune Test: Santner Takes 13 Wickets
The second Test was played in Pune, where Mitchell Santner delivered one of the finest bowling performances of his Test career.
India: 156 & 245
New Zealand: 259 & 143/4
New Zealand won by 113 runs.
Santner claimed 13 wickets in the match, including 7/53 in India’s first innings and 6/104 in the second. ICC highlighted the performance as New Zealand’s route to a historic series victory.
The result was especially impressive because Santner succeeded on a surface where India’s own spinners were expected to have a major influence.
Mumbai Test: New Zealand Complete the 3-0 Sweep
The third Test at Wankhede Stadium completed New Zealand’s remarkable series.
India made 263 in their first innings, while New Zealand replied with 235.
India then scored only 121 in their second innings. New Zealand successfully chased the target and won by 25 runs.
The 3-0 result was historic. New Zealand became the first team to whitewash India 3-0 in a three-match home Test series.
For India, the defeat was more than a single bad match. It represented a rare home-series collapse across three consecutive Tests.
Phase 4: New Zealand Tour India in 2026
The rivalry did not cool after the 2024 Test series. New Zealand returned to India in January 2026 for ODI and T20I cricket.
ODI Series, January 2026: New Zealand Win 2-1
The three-match ODI series produced another major milestone.
1st ODI, Vadodara
India won by four wickets after chasing New Zealand’s 300/8 with 306/6.
2nd ODI, Rajkot
New Zealand responded strongly, chasing India’s 284/7 with 286/3 and winning by seven wickets.
3rd ODI, Indore
New Zealand: 337/8
India: 296 all out
New Zealand won by 41 runs and sealed the series 2-1.
Daryl Mitchell scored 137, while Glenn Phillips made 106. Their 219-run partnership transformed the match after New Zealand had lost early wickets. Virat Kohli answered with 124, but India could not complete the chase.
The victory gave New Zealand their first bilateral ODI series win in India.
T20I Series, January 2026: India Win 4-1
India responded in the T20I leg of the tour.
The five-match series finished 4-1 in India’s favour.
The final match in Thiruvananthapuram was particularly memorable. India posted 271/5, powered by Ishan Kishan’s 103 from 43 balls, Suryakumar Yadav’s 63 and Hardik Pandya’s 42.
New Zealand were dismissed for 225 in 19.4 overs, giving India a 46-run victory. Arshdeep Singh took five wickets.
The result showed the contrast between the two sides during the tour. New Zealand had controlled the ODI series, while India dominated the T20I contest.
2026 T20 World Cup Final: India Beat New Zealand by 96 Runs
The rivalry reached another major final in Ahmedabad on 8 March 2026.
India scored 255/5 from 20 overs, led by Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 89 and useful contributions from Ishan Kishan and the middle order.
New Zealand were then bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.
India won by 96 runs, with Jasprit Bumrah taking 4/15 and Axar Patel claiming 3/27.
The victory gave India their third Men’s T20 World Cup title and made them the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup.
The final also underlined an interesting feature of this rivalry: New Zealand can trouble India in major matches, but India have repeatedly been capable of producing an overwhelming response.
India vs New Zealand Head-to-Head by Format
| Competition | India | New Zealand |
| Tests | 22 wins | 16 wins |
| ODIs | 63 wins | 52 wins |
| T20Is | 19 wins | 11 wins |
| 2021 WTC Final | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 T20 World Cup Final | 1 | 0 |
[VERIFY] Tournament-specific head-to-head totals can vary according to how no-results, ties and neutral-venue matches are counted. Use an official ICC or major statistical database for a final publication-ready table.
Three Things That Make the India-New Zealand Rivalry Special
1. New Zealand Are Often Better Against India Than Their Overall Record Suggests
India have the better bilateral record, but New Zealand have repeatedly found tactical answers to India’s strengths.
Their seam bowling, disciplined fielding and ability to remain calm under pressure have produced several important wins, particularly in ICC competitions.
2. New Zealand Have Now Won Major Series in India
The 2024 Test whitewash was followed by the 2026 ODI series victory.
That combination is significant because winning in India across different formats requires different skills. The Test success depended heavily on seam movement and spin, while the 2026 ODI triumph showcased New Zealand’s batting depth and ability to handle India’s home conditions.
3. Knockout Cricket Often Tells a Different Story
India’s overall bilateral record is stronger, but New Zealand have repeatedly made India work harder in ICC knockout matches.
The 2019 World Cup semi-final and 2021 WTC final are two clear examples. The 2026 T20 World Cup final added another chapter, although this time India came out on top with a commanding 96-run victory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is India’s head-to-head record against New Zealand?
India lead the overall rivalry according to the supplied 2026 figures. They have 22 Test wins to New Zealand’s 16, 63 ODI wins to New Zealand’s 52, and 19 T20I wins to New Zealand’s 11. The exact aggregate should be checked against the latest statistical database before publication.
Did New Zealand win the 2024 Test series in India?
Yes. New Zealand defeated India 3-0 in the 2024 Test series. They won the Bengaluru Test by eight wickets, the Pune Test by 113 runs and the Mumbai Test by 25 runs. It was India’s first 3-0 home Test-series whitewash in a three-match series.
Did New Zealand win the 2026 ODI series in India?
Yes. New Zealand won the three-match ODI series 2-1. India won the opening match in Vadodara, but New Zealand won in Rajkot and Indore to claim their first bilateral ODI series victory in India. The deciding match ended with New Zealand winning by 41 runs.
Who won the India vs New Zealand T20I series in 2026?
India won the five-match T20I series 4-1. The hosts won four matches, while New Zealand took one. In the final T20I at Thiruvananthapuram, India scored 271/5 and won by 46 runs. Ishan Kishan scored 103 from 43 balls.
What happened in the 2019 World Cup semi-final?
New Zealand defeated India by 18 runs in the 2019 World Cup semi-final at Manchester. New Zealand scored 239/8, while India were bowled out for 221. Ravindra Jadeja scored 77 and MS Dhoni made 50, but Martin Guptill’s run-out of Dhoni helped New Zealand close out the match.
Who won the 2026 T20 World Cup final?
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on 8 March 2026. India made 255/5, led by Sanju Samson’s 89, before New Zealand were dismissed for 159. Jasprit Bumrah took 4/15 and was named Player of the Match.
Final Takeaway
The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team timeline is much more competitive and unpredictable than the overall numbers initially suggest.
India remain ahead in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, but New Zealand have produced some extraordinary results. The 2019 World Cup semi-final, the 2021 World Test Championship final, the 2024 Test whitewash and the 2026 ODI series victory all demonstrate how effectively New Zealand can challenge India.
At the same time, India’s 2026 T20 World Cup final victory showed the other side of the rivalry. India can absorb a setback and respond strongly when the stakes are enormous.
That contrast is what makes India vs New Zealand such an interesting matchup. One side generally owns the stronger record; the other has a habit of creating moments that change the story.
