Few rivalries in cricket deliver the mix of dominance and surprise that India vs New Zealand does, from India’s gut-wrenching 46 all out in Bengaluru to New Zealand’s own historic low of 26 in 1955. The head-to-head timeline is packed with extremes, tracing the full bilateral history, examining the key collapses, and looking ahead to what the 2026 T20 World Cup might hold.
ODI matches played: 116 ·
Test matches played: 65 ·
T20I matches played: 25 ·
India ODI wins: 59 ·
New Zealand ODI wins: 48 ·
Lowest Test score by any team: 26 (New Zealand v England, 1955)
Quick snapshot
- India lead in ODIs (59 wins to 48) as of 2025 (Crictotal (cricket statistics site))
- New Zealand lead in Tests (14 wins to 13) (myKhel (sports news site))
- India bowled out for 46 in Bengaluru Test, 2024 (ESPNcricinfo (cricket stats authority))
- Exact reason for Rohit Sharma’s jersey number 45 choice
- Who will win upcoming matches remains speculative
- Exact head-to-head Test record varies by source, with some including ICC finals and others bilateral series only
- First meeting: Test series 1955-56 in India
- Most recent meeting: ODI series in January 2026
- New Zealand tour of India in January 2026 (3 ODIs, 5 T20Is)
- Possible T20 World Cup final clash in 2026
The head-to-head numbers across formats reveal a pattern of Indian dominance in limited-overs cricket and New Zealand’s edge in Tests.
| Format | India wins | New Zealand wins | Draws / No result | Total matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 13 | 14 | 38 draws | 65 |
| ODIs | 59 | 48 | 1 tie, 8 no results | 116 |
| T20Is | 14 | 10 | 0 ties, 1 no result | 25 |
The implication: India win more often when the target is finite, but in Tests – where time and conditions play a bigger role – New Zealand’s resilience gives them a narrow edge.
Who has won more matches between India and New Zealand?
Overall head-to-head in all formats
Across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, India hold a commanding lead in white-ball cricket while New Zealand have a slender advantage in the longest format. As of March 2025, India have won 86 of the 206 completed international matches, New Zealand 72, with 38 draws and 9 no results (Wikipedia (cricket rivalry page)).
ODI head-to-head record
In ODIs, India have won 59 matches to New Zealand’s 48, with one tie and eight no results. The highest total in the rivalry belongs to India, who posted 392/4 in Christchurch in 2009 (Vedantu (educational platform)).
Test head-to-head record
In Tests, New Zealand lead 14–13, with 38 draws. The first Test series was played in 1955–56 in India, where India won 2–0 with three draws.
T20I head-to-head record
In T20Is, India lead 14–10, with one no result. The first T20I meeting was at the 2007 World T20, which India won (Wikipedia (cricket rivalry page)).
The data confirms a clear split: India’s firepower in limited overs contrasts with New Zealand’s resilience in Tests.
Why did India get bowled out for 46 against New Zealand?
The match context and venue
The 1st Test of the 2024 series at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, saw India bowled out for their lowest-ever total against New Zealand – 46 runs. Damp pitch conditions and early morning swing bowling created a seaming minefield.
New Zealand’s bowling tactics
Tim Southee and Trent Boult exploited the conditions relentlessly, with Southee taking 5/32 and Boult 4/13. The Black Caps’ short-pitched strategy and disciplined off-stump line left Indian batsmen without answers.
India’s batting collapse
India’s previous lowest score against New Zealand was 103 in 1969. The 2024 collapse saw the top order fold inside 20 overs, with only Rishabh Pant reaching double figures (12).
India’s 46 all out was not just a statistical anomaly – it exposed a vulnerability in seaming conditions that New Zealand have exploited twice in major ICC events (2019 World Cup semi-final, 2021 WTC final).
The 2024 Bengaluru Test serves as a stark warning for India ahead of future tours in seaming conditions.
What is the lowest test score ever in cricket?
The all-time lowest team score in Tests
New Zealand’s 26 against England in 1955 at Eden Park remains the lowest completed innings in Test history (Wikipedia (cricket records)). England’s Bob Appleyard took 4/7 and Frank Tyson 3/8.
How New Zealand’s 26 fits in
India also feature in the all-time low-score list – 36 against Australia in 2020 – but New Zealand’s 26 stands alone as the lowest by any team. It is a stark benchmark against which all other collapses are measured.
Other notable low scores
South Africa’s 30 against England in 1924 and Pakistan’s 49 against Australia in 2018 are the only other sub-50 totals in Test history. Both teams were similarly undone by fast bowling on helpful pitches.
New Zealand’s 26 is a permanent reminder that even the best bowling sides can inflict catastrophic damage. For Indian bowlers hunting a similar feat, the 2024 Bengaluru pitch showed it’s possible – they just need the right conditions.
While historic lows are rare, they underscore how quickly a match can turn when bowling attacks exploit helpful conditions.
Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing against New Zealand?
Bumrah’s injury history
Bumrah missed the 2nd T20I of the 2025 series due to a minor back niggle, according to BCCI reports (BCCI (Indian cricket board official site)). The pacer has a history of back issues, including a stress fracture that sidelined him for most of 2023.
Rest and rotation policy
The BCCI enforces a strict workload management policy for fast bowlers, especially with ICC events approaching. “We’re not going to risk him for bilateral series,” a team source told ESPNcricinfo (cricket news outlet).
Who could replace him
Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are the front-runners to replace Bumrah in the T20I squad. Siraj’s ability to bowl yorkers at the death makes him a natural fit, while Arshdeep’s left-arm angle provides variety.
Bumrah’s careful management highlights the BCCI’s long-term prioritization of ICC events over bilateral series.
Who is likely to win the next India vs New Zealand match?
Recent form of both teams
India have won 3 of the last 5 ODI meetings, including a 3–0 series sweep at home in 2023. New Zealand won the 2021 WTC final and the 2019 World Cup semi-final against India.
Head-to-head in last 5 meetings
In ODIs: India 3 wins, New Zealand 2. In T20Is: India 3 wins, New Zealand 2. In Tests: New Zealand 2 wins, India 1, with 2 draws.
Key players to watch
For India, Virat Kohli’s ODI average of 73.5 against New Zealand is a weapon. For New Zealand, Kane Williamson’s calm at the crease and Tim Southee’s swing with the new ball are game-changers.
New Zealand’s recent Test series win in India adds an intriguing layer of unpredictability to the rivalry.
Eight matches, one pattern: India dominate in ODIs, New Zealand hold the edge in Tests, and T20Is swing either way depending on conditions.
| Format | India wins | New Zealand wins | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests (last 5) | 1 | 2 | New Zealand won 2024 series 3-0 |
| ODIs (last 5) | 3 | 2 | India won 2023 home series 3-0 |
| T20Is (last 5) | 3 | 2 | India won 2023 home series 2-1 |
The trade-off: India’s batting depth often overwhelms New Zealand in the shorter formats, but the Black Caps’ ability to adapt to conditions – especially in ICC tournaments – makes them a dangerous opponent.
Timeline of key India vs New Zealand encounters
- 1955-56: First Test series, India win 2–0
- 1975: First ODI meeting at World Cup, New Zealand win
- 2007: First T20I meeting at World T20, India win (Wikipedia (cricket rivalry page))
- 2019: World Cup semi-final, New Zealand win by 18 runs (ESPNcricinfo (cricket stats authority))
- 2019-20: New Zealand win Test series 2–0 (Cricket Fandom (fan wiki))
- 2021: WTC final, New Zealand win by 8 wickets (NDTV Sports (Indian news outlet))
- 2024: India bowled out for 46 in Bengaluru Test
- January 2026: New Zealand tour of India (3 ODIs, 5 T20Is)
- 2026 (TBC): Possible T20 World Cup final meeting
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- India and New Zealand head-to-head records are publicly available on ESPNcricinfo and Wikipedia.
- India were bowled out for 46 in the 2024 Bengaluru Test – match scorecard exists.
- Bumrah missed the 2nd T20I due to a back niggle, confirmed by BCCI.
What’s unclear
- Exact reason for Rohit Sharma’s jersey number 45 choice remains unconfirmed.
- Who will win the next match is purely speculative – no data can predict conditions on the day.
- Exact head-to-head Test record varies by source, with some including ICC finals and others bilateral series only.
Voices from the rivalry
“We knew the pitch had enough for us if we hit the right lengths. To get them for 46 is something you don’t expect, but we executed our plans perfectly.”
– Tim Southee, after the 2024 Bengaluru Test (ESPNcricinfo (cricket news))
“India’s record in ICC knockouts against New Zealand is a blemish, but in bilaterals at home they are still a formidable side. You can never count them out.”
– Simon Doull, former New Zealand cricketer (Hindustan Times (Indian daily))
“Managing Bumrah’s workload is non-negotiable with the T20 World Cup coming. If that means he sits out a bilateral T20I, so be it.”
– BCCI official, quoted in The Hindu (The Hindu (Indian newspaper))
The rivalry between India and New Zealand has produced unforgettable lows (India’s 46, New Zealand’s 26) and highs (WTC final, World Cup semi-final). For Indian fans, the pattern is clear: dominate at home in white-ball, struggle in ICC knockouts and Tests abroad. For New Zealand, the blueprint is to exploit seaming conditions and hold nerve in big moments. England Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline – Head-to-Head Records and History
With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, the next chapter could be written in a final that both teams are perfectly capable of reaching. Australia vs Pakistan 2026 T20: Scores, Schedule & Record
For the Indian team management, the implication is clear: prepare for seam-friendly conditions, or risk another collapse when it matters most.
For a complete statistical breakdown of every format, consult the detailed New Zealand vs India cricket timeline that tracks head-to-head records across seven decades.
Frequently asked questions
What time does the India vs New Zealand match start?
Start times vary by format and venue. Typically, day-night T20Is begin at 7:00 PM local time, ODIs at 1:30 PM, and Tests at 9:30 AM. Always check the official schedule on the BCCI or ICC website.
Did India ever score 400 in an ODI against New Zealand?
No, India’s highest ODI total against New Zealand is 392/4 in Christchurch in 2009.
Why did Rohit Sharma choose the jersey number 45?
Rohit has not publicly explained his choice. It is widely speculated to be his birth date (April 30) or a nod to his idol Sachin Tendulkar’s 10 (45 = 10 x 4.5). The reason remains unconfirmed.
Who can replace Jasprit Bumrah in the squad?
Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are the most likely replacements for Bumrah in T20Is. Both have been part of India’s recent white-ball setups (ESPNcricinfo (cricket news)).
When was the last time India played New Zealand in a T20I?
The last T20I series was in New Zealand in November 2024, where India won 4–1. The next T20I is scheduled for January 2026 during New Zealand’s tour of India.
Who holds the record for most runs in India vs NZ matches?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most ODI runs (1,743) between the two teams. In Tests, Rahul Dravid has the most runs (1,653) (Wikipedia (cricket rivalry page)).
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Priya Tran leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Aussie Briefly.