The new zealand national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline covers one of the most competitive rivalries in international cricket, featuring historic Test matches, memorable ODI encounters, T20 International contests and major ICC tournament finals. India and New Zealand have competed against each other for more than seven decades, producing remarkable performances across all three international formats.
The rivalry began in Test cricket in 1955, when New Zealand toured India for a five-match Test series. Since then, both teams have participated in bilateral series, World Cups and international championship finals. Some of the most important moments include New Zealand’s victory in the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021, their historic 3–0 Test series victory in India in 2024 and India’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2025.
In 2026, the rivalry produced another significant milestone when India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final on March 8. The two teams are scheduled to meet again during India’s tour of New Zealand, beginning October 22, 2026, with five T20 Internationals, five ODIs and two Tests.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: Match Details
| Match Information | Details |
| Teams | New Zealand vs India |
| Rivalry Begins | 1955 |
| First Test Match | November 19, 1955 |
| First Test Venue | Fateh Maidan, Hyderabad |
| Formats | Test, ODI and T20I |
| Historic Championship Final | World Test Championship Final 2021 |
| Major Test Milestone | New Zealand won 3–0 in India in 2024 |
| Champions Trophy Final | March 9, 2025 |
| T20 World Cup Final | March 8, 2026 |
| T20 World Cup Final Result | India won by 96 runs |
| Upcoming Series | India Tour of New Zealand 2026 |
India and New Zealand have developed contrasting strengths across the three formats. New Zealand have produced memorable Test victories, while India have recorded important successes in limited-overs tournaments. Their matches continue to attract attention because of the quality of their players and the tactical challenges involved.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: Historical Matches
The following timeline highlights important milestones in the history of the two teams. It focuses on significant completed matches rather than listing every bilateral international fixture.
1. 1955 – First Test Match Between India and New Zealand
The new zealand national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline began on November 19, 1955, when the two teams met at Fateh Maidan in Hyderabad, India.
India produced a strong batting performance in the first innings, scoring 498/4 declared. Polly Umrigar scored 223 runs, while Vijay Manjrekar contributed 118. New Zealand responded with 326 runs in their first innings, and the match eventually ended in a draw.
This encounter established the foundation of a rivalry that would later expand into ODI and T20 International cricket.
Match Details
| Information | Details |
| Date | November 19–24, 1955 |
| Format | Test |
| Venue | Fateh Maidan, Hyderabad |
| India First Innings | 498/4 declared |
| New Zealand First Innings | 326 all out |
| Result | Match drawn |
2. 1975 – India and New Zealand Meet in the First Men’s Cricket World Cup
India and New Zealand met during the inaugural Men’s Cricket World Cup on June 14, 1975, in Manchester, England.
India scored 230 runs, but New Zealand successfully chased the target, winning by four wickets. Glenn Turner played a decisive role by scoring an unbeaten century and guiding his team towards victory.
The match became an important milestone in the development of the teams’ limited-overs rivalry. It also established an early pattern of New Zealand performing strongly against India in major international tournaments.
Match Details
| Information | Details |
| Year | 1975 |
| Tournament | Men’s Cricket World Cup |
| Venue | Manchester, England |
| India Score | 230 |
| Result | New Zealand won by 4 wickets |
| Key Performance | Glenn Turner’s unbeaten century |
3. 1979 – New Zealand Win Another World Cup Encounter
India and New Zealand met again during the 1979 Men’s Cricket World Cup in England. New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets, continuing their successful run against India in the tournament’s early editions.
These initial World Cup encounters became an important part of the rivalry’s history. Both teams continued to develop their limited-overs strategies, and their subsequent meetings became increasingly competitive as international one-day cricket evolved.
Match Details
| Information | Details |
| Year | 1979 |
| Tournament | Men’s Cricket World Cup |
| Venue | Headingley, Leeds |
| Result | New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
4. 2021 – New Zealand Win the Inaugural World Test Championship Final
One of the most significant moments in the new zealand national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline came in June 2021, when the teams contested the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final at Southampton, England.
India scored 217 in their first innings and 170 in their second innings. New Zealand responded with 249 before successfully chasing the target of 139 runs, losing only two wickets.
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor guided New Zealand to an eight-wicket victory. The result made New Zealand the first team to win the World Test Championship.
Match Details
| Information | Details |
| Tournament | ICC World Test Championship Final |
| Date | June 18–23, 2021 |
| Venue | Southampton, England |
| India First Innings | 217 |
| New Zealand First Innings | 249 |
| India Second Innings | 170 |
| New Zealand Second Innings | 140/2 |
| Result | New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
The victory demonstrated New Zealand’s ability to perform under pressure in a major Test championship final. It remains one of the defining results in their international rivalry with India.
5. 2024 – New Zealand Complete a Historic Test Series Sweep in India
In October and November 2024, New Zealand achieved a remarkable result by winning all three Tests of their series in India.
New Zealand won the opening Test in Bengaluru, followed by victory in Pune. They then defeated India by 25 runs in the third Test at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
The series ended 3–0 in New Zealand’s favour, making them the first team to complete a 3–0 sweep in a three-match Test series in India.
The result was particularly significant because India had established a strong record in home Test cricket. New Zealand’s performances demonstrated their ability to adapt to Indian conditions and execute their plans across an entire series.
Series Details
| Information | Details |
| Year | 2024 |
| Format | Test |
| Matches | 3 |
| Series Result | New Zealand won 3–0 |
| Final Test Venue | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| Final Test Result | New Zealand won by 25 runs |
6. 2025 – India Win the ICC Champions Trophy Final
On March 9, 2025, India and New Zealand met in the ICC Champions Trophy final in Dubai.
New Zealand batted first and scored 251/7 in 50 overs. India chased the target, reaching 254/6 to win by four wickets with one over remaining.
Rohit Sharma scored 76 runs and provided an important contribution at the top of the order. India’s batting depth helped the team complete the chase and secure the championship.
The victory added another major chapter to the rivalry, particularly after New Zealand had defeated India in the 2021 World Test Championship final.
Match Details
| Information | Details |
| Tournament | ICC Champions Trophy Final |
| Date | March 9, 2025 |
| Venue | Dubai International Stadium |
| New Zealand | 251/7 |
| India | 254/6 |
| Result | India won by 4 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Rohit Sharma |
7. 2026 – India Defeat New Zealand in the T20 World Cup Final
The new zealand national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline reached another major milestone on March 8, 2026, when India and New Zealand met in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
India batted first and scored 255/5 in 20 overs. New Zealand were dismissed for 159 in 19 overs, giving India a 96-run victory.
Jasprit Bumrah delivered an outstanding bowling performance, taking four wickets for 15 runs. Sanju Samson was named Player of the Tournament after his influential performances throughout the competition.
India’s victory secured another major ICC title and made them the first team to defend the Men’s T20 World Cup successfully. It was also India’s third title in the tournament’s history.
Match Details
| Information | Details |
| Tournament | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final |
| Date | March 8, 2026 |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| India | 255/5 |
| New Zealand | 159 all out |
| Result | India won by 96 runs |
| Player of the Match | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Player of the Tournament | Sanju Samson |
The final was a landmark victory for India and one of the most memorable limited-overs matches in the history of the rivalry.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: Major Milestones
| Year | Major Event | Result or Significance |
| 1955 | First Test match | Match drawn in Hyderabad |
| 1975 | First Men’s World Cup meeting | New Zealand won by 4 wickets |
| 1979 | Men’s Cricket World Cup | New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
| 2021 | World Test Championship final | New Zealand won by 8 wickets |
| 2024 | Test series in India | New Zealand won 3–0 |
| 2025 | Champions Trophy final | India won by 4 wickets |
| 2026 | T20 World Cup final | India won by 96 runs |
| 2026 | India tour of New Zealand | Five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests scheduled |
The timeline highlights how the rivalry has developed across generations. New Zealand have achieved major successes in Test cricket, while India have secured important victories in limited-overs championship finals.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Head-to-Head Record
India and New Zealand have competed against each other in Tests, ODIs and T20 Internationals. Their historical record differs by format, tournament and playing conditions.
| Format | Historical Highlights |
| Test Cricket | Includes the 2021 World Test Championship final and New Zealand’s 3–0 series win in India in 2024 |
| ODI Cricket | Includes World Cup encounters dating back to 1975 and the 2025 Champions Trophy final |
| T20 International | Includes bilateral series and the 2026 T20 World Cup final |
| ICC Tournament Finals | New Zealand won the 2021 WTC final; India won the 2025 Champions Trophy and 2026 T20 World Cup finals |
Exact overall win-loss totals should be verified against a current, format-specific scorecard database before publication. Test, ODI and T20I records must be calculated separately, and the figures should be updated after each completed international match.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: Upcoming Matches in 2026
India are scheduled to tour New Zealand from October 22 to December 1, 2026. The announced programme consists of five T20 Internationals, five One-Day Internationals and two Test matches.
The following fixtures are scheduled for the tour. As of October 21, 2026, these are upcoming matches and must not be treated as completed results.
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st T20I | October 22, 2026 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 2nd T20I | October 24, 2026 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 3rd T20I | October 27, 2026 | Hnry Stadium, Wellington |
| 4th T20I | October 30, 2026 | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 5th T20I | November 1, 2026 | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| 1st ODI | November 4, 2026 | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 2nd ODI | November 7, 2026 | Hnry Stadium, Wellington |
| 3rd ODI | November 10, 2026 | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| 4th ODI | November 13, 2026 | Bay Oval, Tauranga |
| 5th ODI | November 15, 2026 | Bay Oval, Tauranga |
| 1st Test | November 19–23, 2026 | Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington |
| 2nd Test | November 27–December 1, 2026 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
The T20I series will begin in Christchurch before moving to Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton. The ODI matches will then take place across Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Tauranga, followed by the two-Test series.
The tour provides another opportunity for both teams to add new results to their historical rivalry. Confirmed playing XIs, toss information and match results should be added only when officially announced.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The rivalry began in Test cricket on November 19, 1955, when the teams met at Fateh Maidan in Hyderabad, India. The first match ended in a draw.
New Zealand defeated India by four wickets in their first Men’s Cricket World Cup encounter in Manchester on June 14, 1975.
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs on March 8, 2026. India scored 255/5 before dismissing New Zealand for 159.
The next scheduled series begins on October 22, 2026, with the first T20 International at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The announced tour consists of 12 matches: five T20 Internationals, five ODIs and two Tests.
The teams have achieved significant victories in different formats. New Zealand won the inaugural World Test Championship final in 2021, while India won the Champions Trophy final in 2025 and the T20 World Cup final in 2026.
Conclusion
The new zealand national cricket team vs india national cricket team timeline highlights a rivalry that has evolved from the first Test in 1955 into a series of memorable encounters across Tests, ODIs and T20 Internationals.
New Zealand’s World Test Championship victory in 2021 and historic Test series sweep in 2024 demonstrated their strength, while India’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2025 and T20 World Cup victory in 2026 added significant achievements to India’s record.
With another all-format tour scheduled to begin in October 2026, the rivalry continues to offer opportunities for new records and memorable performances. The upcoming fixtures will add another chapter to the history of India and New Zealand cricket.
Source: CricInfo
