New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: The New Zealand national cricket team and the India national cricket team have played over sixty Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and several Cricket World Cup matches. This exhaustive timeline shows just how the two great teams have dueled on cricket fields around the world since the 1950s.
New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: Early Beginnings (1955—60s)
1955-56: The Historic First Series
New Zealand’s national cricket team /national cricket team vs India–India cricket team history began in 1955-56 during New Zealand’s tour of India and the countries played their first Test in 1955-56. It was the tour that spawned one of the most revered rivalries in international cricket.
In this very first series, the Kiwis visited India for a five-match Test series. India, which won the series 2-0 with three matches drawn, made the first statement of authority on home soil. The series was also significant in that it established cricketing relations between the two countries and created a foundation for future visitations.
1967-68: India’s maiden tour to New Zealand
And the wheel of fortune turned once more in 1967-68 when India visited New Zealand for the first time. A fascinating four-Test series where the hosts India won by three matches to one. The series was an example of India’s burgeoning aura on overseas tours at the same time it made a statement that New Zealand were no soft touches for the established sides of the cricketing world.
The Growth Years (1970s-1980s)
In the 1970s and 80s, both began to assert themselves as a serious force in cricket. The New Zealand national cricket team used to visit India occasionally and the competition was more balanced during this time.
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The Professional Era (1990s-2000s)
1999: A Memorable Indian Victory
One of the memorable New Zealand national cricket team vs India national cricket team series being recorded took place in 1999 when the New Zealand cricket team toured India. There was some good cricket played in the series and India won convincingly. Notable matches included:
- 1st Test, Mohali: A thrilling draw as India score 83 and 505-3 dec
- 2nd Test at Kanpur: India won by 8 wickets in one one-sided affair
- 3rd Test: India win at home once again
This series showed that India was getting a stronger team at home and how they could dominate visiting sides.
The Rise of Limited-Overs Cricket
The New Zealand vs India ODI cricket became an even bigger rivalry in the 1990s and 2000s. The two teams played many World Cups and bilateral series and shared dozens of unforgettable moments.
Modern Era Highlights (2010s-Present)
World Cup Encounters
The battle proved to be more intense for ICC tournaments, though:
- And so much of the most compelling cricket these two sides have played — ever played — against each other has unfolded in World Cup matches.
- They were there, in part, to get something more than the usual advice which we assume they get from their counterparts in the Champions Trophy.
- The matches between the countries have new significance with the World Test Championship.
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Recent Series and Tours
2024-25: Latest Chapter
The New Zealand cricket team got ready to tour India from October to November 2024 to play three Tests against the Indian cricket team to keep the antiquity of these timelines. The series was also a part of the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship and held extra value for the series between the two sides.
2025: Champions Trophy Drama
The timeline had a climax in 2025 when the two sides played each other in the ICC Champions Trophy matches. They also played each other in the group stage on 2 March 2025 and the Final on 9 March 2025, showing that the rivalry was far from over.
India vs New Zealand Head to Head Record
India vs New Zealand Head to Head in Test
| Total Matches Played | 65 |
| India Won | 22 |
| New Zealand Won | 16 |
| India Lost | 16 |
| Pakistan Lost | 22 |
| Matches Tied | 0 |
| Matches Drawn | 27 |
| No Result | 0 |
India vs New Zealand Head to Head in ODI
| Total Matches Played | 120 |
| India Won | 62 |
| New Zealand Won | 50 |
| India Lost | 50 |
| Pakistan Lost | 62 |
| Matches Tied | 1 |
| Matches Drawn | 7 |
| No Result | 0 |
India vs New Zealand Head to Head in T20I
| Total Matches Played | 25 |
| India Won | 14 |
| New Zealand Won | 10 |
| India Lost | 10 |
| Pakistan Lost | 14 |
| Matches Tied | 1 |
| Matches Drawn | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
Conclusion:
The New Zealand national cricket team vs India national cricket team timeline has been one of cricket’s most harmonious rivalries. This 60-year-old rivalry has consistently produced top-class cricket over the years since the first-ever series between the two in 1955-56 to the most recent one in 2024-25.
This period is ‘that bit special’ because of the mutual respect the two have enjoyed, the fact that both have been competitive in any format of the game and what both have done for cricket in the world. As two developing sides arguably best suited to the modern game resume hostilities, the years ahead promise more such compelling episodes.
It’s a fine-boned example of the way in which cricket crosses nations, exciting fans all over the world. From the absorbing feints and counter-feints of Test cricket, to the grand gestures of ODI series, all the way to the visceral immediacy of T20s, the India cricket team and the New Zealand cricket team never fail to entertain their followers with one of the best cricket rivalries.
