The rivalry between India and New Zealand spans seven decades of international cricket.
The India vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline documents 203 matches played across Test, ODI, and T20I formats since their first meeting in 1955.
This isn’t just a collection of numbers. It’s a story of two teams that respect each other while competing fiercely on the field.
Here’s everything you need to know about this cricket timeline, from historic first matches to the latest 2026 series results.
Contents
- 1 India Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline
- 1.1 January 2026 Series: Complete Match Results
- 1.2 Historical Head-to-Head Records By Format
- 1.3 Cross-Format Win Percentage Comparison
- 1.4 All-Time Run-Scoring Leaders
- 1.5 Top Performers From January 2026
- 1.6 All-Time Bowling Legends
- 1.7 Tactical View: Understanding The Rivalry’s Balance
- 1.8 Squad Details From 2026 Tour
- 1.9 Watching India vs New Zealand Cricket
- 1.10 Common Questions Answered
- 1.11 Looking At Seven Decades Of Cricket
India Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline
January 2026 Series: Complete Match Results
The India vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline today shows a fascinating split between formats.
New Zealand’s tour of India ran from January 11-31, 2026, featuring three ODIs and five T20Is.
| Date | Match | Venue | India Score | New Zealand Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 January 2026 | 1st ODI (Day/Night) | Vadodara | 306/6 (49 overs) | 300/8 (50 overs) | India won by 4 wickets |
| 14 January 2026 | 2nd ODI (Day/Night) | Rajkot | 284/7 (50 overs) | 286/3 (47.3 overs) | New Zealand won by 7 wickets |
| 18 January 2026 | 3rd ODI (Day/Night) | Indore | 296 (46 overs) | 337/8 (50 overs) | New Zealand won by 41 runs |
| 21 January 2026 | 1st T20I (Night) | Nagpur | 238/7 (20 overs) | 190/7 (20 overs) | India won by 48 runs |
| 23 January 2026 | 2nd T20I (Night) | Raipur | 209/3 (15.2 overs) | 208/6 (20 overs) | India won by 7 wickets |
| 25 January 2026 | 3rd T20I (Night) | Guwahati | 155/2 (10 overs) | 153/9 (20 overs) | India won by 8 wickets |
| 28 January 2026 | 4th T20I (Night) | Visakhapatnam | 165 (18.4 overs) | 215/7 (20 overs) | New Zealand won by 50 runs |
| 31 January 2026 | 5th T20I (Night) | Thiruvananthapuram | 271/5 (20 overs) | 225 (19.4 overs) | India won by 46 runs |
New Zealand claimed the ODI series 2-1. India bounced back to dominate the T20I series 4-1.
The first ODI in Vadodara saw India chase 301 with six balls remaining. New Zealand hit back in Rajkot, chasing 285 with 15 balls to spare.
The series decider in Indore went New Zealand’s way as they defended 337 runs.
The India vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline T20 series belonged to India.
Their 271/5 in Thiruvananthapuram stands as one of the highest T20I totals between these teams.
India won by 8 wickets in Guwahati after chasing just 154, wrapping up the match in only 10 overs.
Historical Head-to-Head Records By Format
Test Matches Since 1955
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 63 |
| India Wins | 22 |
| New Zealand Wins | 13 |
| Draws | 28 |
| India Win % | 34.9% |
| New Zealand Win % | 20.6% |
| Draw % | 44.4% |
Their Test cricket journey began in Hyderabad in 1955. That inaugural series consisted of five matches, with India securing a 2-0 victory and three draws.
The 44.4% draw rate stands out. Almost half of all Test matches between these teams have ended without a result.
This suggests evenly matched sides that can battle for five days without breaking each other.
India’s 34.9% win rate gives them clear advantage over New Zealand’s 20.6%. But those numbers don’t tell the whole story of how competitive these Test matches become.
ODI Record Analysis
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 116 |
| India Wins | 58 |
| New Zealand Wins | 50 |
| No Result | 8 |
| India Win % | 50.0% |
| New Zealand Win % | 43.1% |
The India vs New Zealand head to head ODI statistics reveal tight competition.
Their first ODI meeting happened during the 1975 Cricket World Cup, with India securing victory.
India’s 58-50 lead in completed matches translates to exactly 50.0% win rate.
New Zealand sits at 43.1%, remarkably close considering India’s home advantage in many series.
Eight matches ended without result, mostly due to rain interruptions.
T20I Performance Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 24 |
| India Wins | 13 |
| New Zealand Wins | 10 |
| Ties | 1 |
| India Win % | 54.2% |
| New Zealand Win % | 41.7% |
T20I cricket started between these teams in 2007. India leads with 13 wins from 24 matches, giving them a 54.2% success rate.
One tied match adds drama to this format. New Zealand has 10 wins for a 41.7% win percentage.
Unlike ODIs, T20Is between these teams have never been abandoned due to weather.
Cross-Format Win Percentage Comparison
| Format | India Win % | New Zealand Win % | Recent Form (Last 5 Bilateral) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test Cricket | 34.9% | 20.6% | India: 3 wins, NZ: 1 win, 1 draw |
| ODI Cricket | 50.0% | 43.1% | India: 3 wins, NZ: 2 wins |
| T20I Cricket | 54.2% | 41.7% | India: 3 wins, NZ: 2 wins |
Win percentages exclude draws and ties from calculations. Recent form data covers bilateral series from 2020 to 2024, not including ICC tournament matches.
India’s strongest format is T20I cricket at 54.2%, followed by ODIs at 50.0%. New Zealand performs most competitively in ODIs, where they’ve won 43.1% of matches.
All-Time Run-Scoring Leaders
| Player | Team | Formats Played | Career Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | All formats | 2000+ runs |
| Kane Williamson | New Zealand | All formats | Leading scorer (NZ) |
| Virat Kohli | India | All formats | Significant aggregate |
| Martin Crowe | New Zealand | Test/ODI | Historical record |
| Rahul Dravid | India | Test/ODI | Historical record |
Sachin Tendulkar dominates with over 2000 runs against New Zealand across all formats. His career against the Kiwis spanned nearly two decades.
Kane Williamson leads New Zealand’s scoring charts. Martin Crowe’s contributions in Test and ODI cricket remain significant in the rivalry’s history. Virat Kohli continues adding to India’s scoring legacy in the modern era.
Top Performers From January 2026
ODI Series Batting Leaders
| Player | Team | Innings | Runs | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand | 2 | 215 | 215.00 |
| KL Rahul | India | 2 | 141 | 70.50 |
| Virat Kohli | India | 2 | 116 | 58.00 |
Daryl Mitchell’s 215 runs at an average of 215.00 drove New Zealand’s ODI series victory.
His consistency across innings gave New Zealand strong starts.
KL Rahul and Virat Kohli fought hard for India but couldn’t prevent the 2-1 series defeat.
ODI Series Bowling Leaders
| Player | Team | Innings | Wickets | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Jamieson | New Zealand | 2 | 5 | 22.20 |
| Kristian Clarke | New Zealand | 2 | 4 | 32.25 |
| Prasidh Krishna | India | 2 | 3 | 36.33 |
Kyle Jamieson’s five wickets at 22.20 troubled Indian batsmen consistently. His pace and bounce created problems throughout the ODI series.
New Zealand’s bowling unit outperformed India’s in the ODI format, a crucial factor in their series win.
All-Time Bowling Legends
| Player | Team | Formats Played | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anil Kumble | India | Test cricket | 10/74 |
| Richard Hadlee | New Zealand | Test cricket | Multiple 10-wicket hauls |
| Zaheer Khan | India | All formats | Significant aggregate |
| Daniel Vettori | New Zealand | All formats | Significant aggregate |
| Javagal Srinath | India | Test/ODI | Historical record |
Anil Kumble’s 10/74 represents the finest single-innings bowling between these teams. That spell stands among Test cricket’s greatest individual performances.
Richard Hadlee recorded multiple 10-wicket match hauls across various Test series. His mastery of the ball gave New Zealand numerous victories in the 1980s.
Tactical View: Understanding The Rivalry’s Balance
The India vs New Zealand cricket relationship works because neither team takes the other lightly. There’s respect built on decades of competitive matches.
New Zealand maximizes its limited resources. With a smaller player pool, they focus on smart cricket and exceptional fielding. Their game plans stay simple and clear, executed with precision under pressure.
India brings overwhelming depth. When one batsman fails, three others can step up. When one bowler struggles, two more can deliver match-winning spells. That squad depth consistently wins tight series.
The psychological dynamics matter. New Zealand doesn’t fear India despite its resources. They’ve beaten India in World Cups and bilateral series. That confidence shows when matches get tight.
The January 2026 series proved this perfectly. New Zealand won the ODIs 2-1 on Indian soil. India dominated T20Is 4-1 with their power-hitting. Each team won their stronger format, exactly as the historical data suggests.
Squad Details From 2026 Tour
| Team | Player | Role | Batting Style | Bowling Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | KL Rahul | Wicketkeeper-Batsman | Right-hand bat | – |
| India | Virat Kohli | Batsman | Right-hand bat | Right-arm medium |
| India | Prasidh Krishna | Bowler | Right-hand bat | Right-arm fast-medium |
| New Zealand | Daryl Mitchell | All-rounder | Right-hand bat | Right-arm medium |
| New Zealand | Kyle Jamieson | Bowler | Right-hand bat | Right-arm fast-medium |
| New Zealand | Kristian Clarke | Bowler | Right-hand bat | Right-arm medium |
These players shaped the January 2026 series outcomes across both formats.
Watching India vs New Zealand Cricket
Television Broadcast Options
India:
- Star Sports 1 (English)
- Star Sports 1 Hindi
- Star Sports 1 HD
- Star Sports 1 Tamil
- Star Sports 1 Telugu
New Zealand:
- Sky Sport NZ
- Sky Sport Cricket
United Kingdom:
- Sky Sports Cricket
- Sky Sports Main Event
Australia:
- Fox Sports Cricket
- Kayo Sports
United States:
- Willow TV
- ESPN+
Middle East:
- OSN Sports Cricket HD
South Africa:
- SuperSport Cricket
- SuperSport Grandstand
Digital Streaming Services
India:
- Disney+ Hotstar (subscription)
- JioTV (mobile app)
New Zealand:
- Sky Go
- Sky Sport Now
United Kingdom:
- Sky Go
- NOW TV
Australia:
- Kayo Sports
- Foxtel Go
United States:
- ESPN+
- Willow TV app
Canada:
- Willow TV app
- Hotstar Canada
Pre-match coverage begins 30 minutes before start times. Broadcasts feature multi-camera angles, including stump cam, boundary cam, and spider cam.
Common Questions Answered
- How many total matches have India and New Zealand played?
They’ve played 203 matches total: 63 Tests, 116 ODIs, and 24 T20Is from 1955 through January 2026.
- What happened in the January 2026 series?
New Zealand won the ODI series 2-1. India won the T20I series 4-1.
- Which format does India dominate most?
India’s best win percentage is 54.2% in T20Is, followed by 50.0% in ODIs and 34.9% in Tests.
- When did these teams first play each other?
They first met in 1955 in a Test match at Hyderabad. India won that series 2-0.
- Who leads the ODI head-to-head?
India leads 58-50 in completed ODI matches, with 8 no-results due to weather.
Looking At Seven Decades Of Cricket
The India vs New Zealand national cricket team timeline stretches from 1955 to 2026.
That’s 71 years of competitive cricket producing 203 matches across all formats.
India holds overall advantages in every format. But the margins stay close enough to keep things interesting.
New Zealand’s recent ODI series win shows they can still challenge India anywhere.
This rivalry continues to grow. Both teams produce quality cricketers who make every series competitive.
The mutual respect ensures clean cricket and sporting contests that fans enjoy watching.
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