India vs New Zealand: Seventy years of a rivalry that keeps turning, and the 2026 tour

Seventy years of a rivalry that keeps turning, and the 2026 tour

Twelve matches from 22 October: five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.

India play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests in New Zealand between 22 October and 1 December. It is the largest bilateral tour New Zealand Cricket has ever hosted, and it is set against 100 years of sporting ties between the two countries.

The T20Is are India's first series in New Zealand as double world champions, with Shreyas Iyer now in charge of the side. New Zealand lost the final in Ahmedabad heavily and will want a different story on their own pitches, where the ball swings early and Eden Park's short boundaries punish anything loose.

The ODIs are a meeting of the top two sides in the ICC rankings, a year before the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. New Zealand won the ODI series in India 2-1 in January, so India start this leg with something to put right. Both sides have named separate squads for the first three games and the last two, and Shubman Gill hands the Indian captaincy to Shreyas Iyer for the final two.

The Tests carry the most weight. Both count towards the World Test Championship, where India sit fifth, and New Zealand have won the last three Tests between the sides. India have won a Test series in New Zealand only twice, in 1968 and 2009.

ICC team rankings as listed by TOI on 16 October 2026. In January, New Zealand won the ODI series in India 2-1 and India won the T20Is 4-1. India's last Test assignment was a 1-0 series win in Sri Lanka.

ODI ranking India first, New Zealand second 1 2 3 4 5 115 – 109 ICC points: India 115, New Zealand 109. India +6

Test ranking India fourth, New Zealand third 1 2 3 4 5 105 – 106 ICC points: India 105, New Zealand 106. New Zealand +1

T20I ranking India second, New Zealand fourth 1 2 3 4 5 267 – 247 ICC points: India 267, New Zealand 247. India +20

WTC 2025–27 India fifth (68 pts), New Zealand second 1 2 3 4 5 –

Five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. The tour starts at Hagley Oval and ends there.

Two in Christchurch, then Wellington, Auckland's Eden Park, with its short straight boundaries, and Hamilton.

Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton, then two at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui to finish.

New Zealand will wear a special Kotahitanga jersey with lotus flowers for these games.

The Basin Reserve in Wellington, then Hagley Oval.

1st T20I Thu 22 Oct 12:30 pm IST Hagley Oval Christchurch Match Center for the 1st T20I →

2nd T20I Sat 24 Oct 12:30 pm IST Hagley Oval Christchurch Match Center for the 2nd T20I →

3rd T20I Tue 27 Oct 12:30 pm IST Wellington Regional Stadium Wellington Match Center for the 3rd T20I →

4th T20I Fri 30 Oct 12:30 pm IST Eden Park Auckland Match Center for the 4th T20I →

5th T20I Sun 1 Nov 12:30 pm IST Seddon Park Hamilton Match Center for the 5th T20I →

1st ODI Wed 4 Nov 7:30 am IST Eden Park Auckland Match Center for the 1st ODI →

2nd ODI Sat 7 Nov 7:30 am IST Wellington Regional Stadium Wellington Match Center for the 2nd ODI →

3rd ODI Tue 10 Nov 7:30 am IST Seddon Park Hamilton Match Center for the 3rd ODI →

4th ODI Fri 13 Nov 7:30 am IST Bay Oval Mount Maunganui Match Center for the 4th ODI →

5th ODI Sun 15 Nov 7:30 am IST Bay Oval Mount Maunganui Match Center for the 5th ODI →

1st Test Thu 19 Nov 3:30 am IST · 5 days Basin Reserve Wellington Match Center for the 1st Test →

2nd Test Fri 27 Nov 3:30 am IST · 5 days Hagley Oval Christchurch Match Center for the 2nd Test →

New Zealand grounds are small by Indian standards, often windy and quick to change with the weather.

India's full Test and T20I record at each of the grounds they visit on this tour. Every match at these grounds has been against New Zealand.

In Tilak Varma, Kumar Kushagra, Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur

Out Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Anshul Kamboj, Prasidh Krishna

In Finn Allen, Kristian Clarke, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert

Out Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith

Only here named in no other squad on this tour

Squads as announced by BCCI (16 October 2026) and New Zealand Cricket. * Subject to fitness clearance. New Zealand's Test squad is due in early November.

India's T20I squad mixes the World Cup-winning core, including Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy, with new faces. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Naman Dhir are in, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns, his swing likely to be useful with a new ball in New Zealand.

India have split their ODI squad too. Shubman Gill captains the first three games before he and the Test specialists leave to prepare for Wellington; Shreyas Iyer takes over for the last two. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in for all five. Tilak Varma, Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur and Kumar Kushagra come in for the final two, and Jasprit Bumrah returns for the Tests.

New Zealand have split their ODI selection. The first three games lean on experience, with Tom Latham, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. The last two bring in pace and power, with Lockie Ferguson, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, plus uncapped or lightly capped names such as Kristian Clarke, Mitch Hay and Nick Kelly.

Five contests that could decide the tour

Tests 01 Shubman Gill vs Matt Henry India's Test captain against the second-ranked Test bowler in the world, with a new ball on New Zealand pitches. Gill already holds the rivalry's highest ODI and T20I scores. Basin Reserve and Hagley Oval

India's Test captain against the second-ranked Test bowler in the world, with a new ball on New Zealand pitches. Gill already holds the rivalry's highest ODI and T20I scores.

T20Is 02 Abhishek Sharma vs Lockie Ferguson India's opener made a fifty in the World Cup final. Ferguson's pace in the first six overs is New Zealand's best way to slow him down. Powerplay

India's opener made a fifty in the World Cup final. Ferguson's pace in the first six overs is New Zealand's best way to slow him down.

T20Is and ODIs 03 Varun & Kuldeep vs Daryl Mitchell Mitchell has topped the ICC ODI batting rankings this year and plays spin as well as anyone. Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav are both in India's T20I squad. Middle overs

Mitchell has topped the ICC ODI batting rankings this year and plays spin as well as anyone. Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav are both in India's T20I squad.

ODIs 04 Rohit & Kohli vs New Zealand Both are in the squad for all five ODIs. Kohli is the leading ODI run-scorer in the rivalry. 4 – 15 November

Both are in the squad for all five ODIs. Kohli is the leading ODI run-scorer in the rivalry.

1st Test 05 India's batters vs Wellington wind The Basin Reserve is one of the windiest grounds in the game. Bowlers who can hold a line into it, and batters who can wait, tend to win Tests there. 19 – 23 November

The Basin Reserve is one of the windiest grounds in the game. Bowlers who can hold a line into it, and batters who can wait, tend to win Tests there.

Head to head: seventy years of the rivalry

India and New Zealand first played a Test in 1955. The records in Tests, ODIs and T20Is, and the matches that shaped them.

New Zealand arrived in India in late 1955 for a five-Test series and lost it 2-0. In Chennai (then Madras), Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy put on 413 for the first wicket. Twelve years later the roles flipped: Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi's side won 3-1 in New Zealand, India's first Test series win abroad.

Since then the rivalry has swung in long arcs. New Zealand have won the big knockouts as often as India, and India have struggled to win Test series in New Zealand. Start with the numbers, format by format.

For four decades this was a Test contest decided by home conditions: turners in India, seam and wind in New Zealand. India's 1968 series win there took 41 years to repeat.

One-day cricket brought the sides closer. India have won more ODIs, 63 to 52, but New Zealand have tended to rise for the matches that mattered, and since 2019 those have come on the biggest stages.

India lead 104 to 79 across seven decades. That overall number hides three very different contests.

Share of all men's internationals between the sides

The tightest format. New Zealand have won the last three, all in India in 2024.

India's best in NZ 8/76 Erapalli Prasanna

India's best format in the rivalry: 63 wins to 52.

India have won 19 of 31, including the 2026 World Cup final by 96 runs.

Meetings this calendar year, before the tour

India won the home series 4-1, then the World Cup final.

New Zealand won the series in India 2-1.

No Tests yet this year. The last three, in India in 2024, all went to New Zealand.

Figures to 16 October 2026, from TOI's India v New Zealand head-to-head data. In T20Is, matches decided by a super over count as wins; one tie had no super over.

ICC event records include the 2021 WTC final among knockouts.

Chris Cairns' unbeaten hundred won the ICC KnockOut final, New Zealand's first global trophy.

The two-day World Cup semi-final. Guptill's throw ran out Dhoni and New Zealand won by 18 runs.

New Zealand won the first World Test Championship final by eight wickets.

Kohli's 50th ODI hundred and Shami's 7 for 57 took India to the World Cup final.

India beat New Zealand by four wickets in the Champions Trophy final.

India won the T20 World Cup final by 96 runs, their first T20 World Cup win over New Zealand.

Finals and semi-finals, including the WTC final

Pataudi 01 India Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi Captain 1962–75 Led India to their first series win abroad: 3-1 in New Zealand, 1968.

Led India to their first series win abroad: 3-1 in New Zealand, 1968.

Dhoni 02 India MS Dhoni Captain 2007–17 Won the 2009 Test series in New Zealand, as well as the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.

Won the 2009 Test series in New Zealand, as well as the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.

Kohli 03 India Virat Kohli Captain 2014–22 Beat Williamson in the 2008 Under-19 semi-final, then led India against him in the 2021 WTC final.

Beat Williamson in the 2008 Under-19 semi-final, then led India against him in the 2021 WTC final.

Sharma 04 India Rohit Sharma Captain 2021–25 Won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, beating New Zealand in the final.

Won the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, beating New Zealand in the final.

Yadav 05 India Suryakumar Yadav Captain 2024–26 Captain when India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup final.

Captain when India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the 2026 T20 World Cup final.

Gill 06 India Shubman Gill Captain Test and ODI captain Leads India in the Tests and the first three ODIs on this tour. Holds the rivalry's top ODI and T20I scores.

Leads India in the Tests and the first three ODIs on this tour. Holds the rivalry's top ODI and T20I scores.

Fleming 07 New Zealand Stephen Fleming Captain 1997–2007 Won the 2000 ICC KnockOut, beating India in the final in Nairobi.

Won the 2000 ICC KnockOut, beating India in the final in Nairobi.

McCullum 08 New Zealand Brendon McCullum Captain 2012–16 Made 302 against India in 2014 and led New Zealand to the 2015 World Cup final.

Made 302 against India in 2014 and led New Zealand to the 2015 World Cup final.

Williamson 09 New Zealand Kane Williamson Captain 2016–22 Beat India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final and the 2021 WTC final.

Beat India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final and the 2021 WTC final.

Latham 10 New Zealand Tom Latham Captain Test captain Led the 3-0 Test series win in India in 2024.

Led the 3-0 Test series win in India in 2024.

Santner 11 New Zealand Mitchell Santner Captain White-ball captain Led New Zealand to the 2026 T20 World Cup final. Captains the T20Is and ODIs on this tour.

Led New Zealand to the 2026 T20 World Cup final. Captains the T20Is and ODIs on this tour.

Pick a format. The scoreboard shows who leads it, then the players behind each side's biggest days. Figures are for India v New Zealand matches unless stated.

India lead the head-to-head, but New Zealand have won the last three Tests between the sides.

75 Test wickets v NZ R Ashwin The most wickets in the rivalry, at an average of 18.53.

The most wickets in the rivalry, at an average of 18.53.

1,659 Test runs v NZ Rahul Dravid The most runs in the rivalry, with six hundreds.

The most runs in the rivalry, with six hundreds.

6/63 Hamilton, 2009 Harbhajan Singh Bowled India to their last Test win in New Zealand.

Bowled India to their last Test win in New Zealand.

302 Wellington, 2014 Brendon McCullum New Zealand's first Test triple century, batting India out of a match they led.

New Zealand's first Test triple century, batting India out of a match they led.

10/119 Mumbai, 2021 Ajaz Patel All ten wickets in an innings, only the third bowler in Test history to do it.

All ten wickets in an innings, only the third bowler in Test history to do it.

5/31 WTC final, Southampton, 2021 Kyle Jamieson Player of the Match as New Zealand became the first Test world champions.

Player of the Match as New Zealand became the first Test world champions.

India lead by 11. New Zealand won the most recent series, 2-1 in India in January.

1,897 ODI runs v NZ Virat Kohli Seven hundreds, including his record 50th in the 2023 World Cup semi-final.

Seven hundreds, including his record 50th in the 2023 World Cup semi-final.

208 Hyderabad, 2023 Shubman Gill The highest ODI score in the rivalry.

7/57 2023 World Cup semi-final, Mumbai Mohammed Shami The best ODI figures in the rivalry, on the night India reached the final.

The best ODI figures in the rivalry, on the night India reached the final.

51 ODI wickets v NZ Javagal Srinath The most ODI wickets in the rivalry.

6/19 Bulawayo, 2005 Shane Bond New Zealand's best ODI figures against India.

New Zealand's best ODI figures against India.

102* ICC KnockOut final, Nairobi, 2000 Chris Cairns His unbeaten hundred won New Zealand their first global trophy.

His unbeaten hundred won New Zealand their first global trophy.

134 2023 World Cup semi-final, Mumbai Daryl Mitchell A hundred in a losing cause as New Zealand chased 398.

A hundred in a losing cause as New Zealand chased 398.

Direct hit 2019 World Cup semi-final, Manchester Martin Guptill His throw from the deep ran out MS Dhoni and sent New Zealand to the final.

His throw from the deep ran out MS Dhoni and sent New Zealand to the final.

India lead by eight, and beat New Zealand in the World Cup final in March.

526 T20I runs v NZ Suryakumar Yadav The most in the rivalry, including 111 not out at Bay Oval in 2022.

The most in the rivalry, including 111 not out at Bay Oval in 2022.

126* Ahmedabad, 2023 Shubman Gill The highest T20I score in the rivalry.

6, 6 Super over, Hamilton, 2020 Rohit Sharma Hit the last two balls of the super over for six to win India's first T20I series in New Zealand.

Hit the last two balls of the super over for six to win India's first T20I series in New Zealand.

30 T20I wickets v India Ish Sodhi The most T20I wickets in the rivalry.

Hat-trick Bay Oval, 2022 Tim Southee Three wickets in three balls in the final over.

Three wickets in three balls in the final over.

72 Off 40 balls, Hamilton, 2019 Colin Munro Player of the Match as New Zealand won the series decider by four runs.

Player of the Match as New Zealand won the series decider by four runs.

A refused single, a fielding graphic, a send-off, the light and a review. What happened, and why people still disagree.

Case 01 Hamilton · 10 February 2019 · 3rd T20I The non-strike New Zealand won by 4 runs The single that wasn't taken What happened India needed 16 off the last over, chasing 213 for the series. Off the third ball Dinesh Karthik turned down a single and sent back Krunal Pandya, who had 26 off 13 balls. Karthik hit the last ball for six, but India lost by four runs and the series 2-1. Why it's still argued Karthik said afterwards that he had backed himself to hit a six. Whether the single would have changed the result is still argued over.

India needed 16 off the last over, chasing 213 for the series. Off the third ball Dinesh Karthik turned down a single and sent back Krunal Pandya, who had 26 off 13 balls. Karthik hit the last ball for six, but India lost by four runs and the series 2-1.

Karthik said afterwards that he had backed himself to hit a six. Whether the single would have changed the result is still argued over.

Case 02 Manchester · 10 July 2019 · World Cup semi-final The run-out Fact-checks: delivery was legal Six outside the circle? What happened Martin Guptill's direct hit from the deep ran out MS Dhoni and left India needing 25 off nine balls. A broadcast graphic before the delivery seemed to show six New Zealand fielders outside the circle, one more than allowed, and fans called it a no-ball. Why it's still argued Ball-by-ball checks of the footage found five fielders out, and the graphic was wrong. A batter can be run out off a no-ball anyway. It was Dhoni's last international innings.

Manchester · 10 July 2019 · World Cup semi-final

Martin Guptill's direct hit from the deep ran out MS Dhoni and left India needing 25 off nine balls. A broadcast graphic before the delivery seemed to show six New Zealand fielders outside the circle, one more than allowed, and fans called it a no-ball.

Ball-by-ball checks of the footage found five fielders out, and the graphic was wrong. A batter can be run out off a no-ball anyway. It was Dhoni's last international innings.

Case 03 Christchurch · 1 March 2020 · 2nd Test The celebration Match referee: no action The send-off What happened Virat Kohli greeted Kane Williamson's dismissal with a loud send-off from the slips. When Tom Latham was bowled, he turned to a section of the crowd with a finger to his lips. Why it's still argued Asked about it after India's seven-wicket defeat, Kohli told the reporter this was not the place to create controversy and said the match referee had no issue. Williamson put it down to Kohli's passion.

Virat Kohli greeted Kane Williamson's dismissal with a loud send-off from the slips. When Tom Latham was bowled, he turned to a section of the crowd with a finger to his lips.

Asked about it after India's seven-wicket defeat, Kohli told the reporter this was not the place to create controversy and said the match referee had no issue. Williamson put it down to Kohli's passion.

Case 04 Kanpur · 29 November 2021 · 1st Test The last wicket Bad light: match drawn Saved by the light What happened Chasing 284, New Zealand were 155 for 9 with about nine overs left. Debutant Rachin Ravindra and No. 11 Ajaz Patel blocked out 52 balls before the umpires took the players off for bad light at 165 for 9. Why it's still argued India were one wicket from victory in fading light. Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane said the umpires had made the right call, and India won the next Test in Mumbai by 372 runs.

Chasing 284, New Zealand were 155 for 9 with about nine overs left. Debutant Rachin Ravindra and No. 11 Ajaz Patel blocked out 52 balls before the umpires took the players off for bad light at 165 for 9.

India were one wicket from victory in fading light. Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane said the umpires had made the right call, and India won the next Test in Mumbai by 372 runs.

Case 05 Mumbai · 3 November 2024 · 3rd Test The review Not out, overturned to out Bat, pad or both? What happened Chasing 147, India were 29 for 5 before Rishabh Pant's 64 off 57 balls brought them back. Given not out caught behind off Ajaz Patel, he was sent off on review after UltraEdge showed a spike. Why it's still argued The spike came as bat brushed pad, and Rohit Sharma said the bat was clearly close to the pad. India lost by 25 runs, completing New Zealand's 3-0 sweep.

Chasing 147, India were 29 for 5 before Rishabh Pant's 64 off 57 balls brought them back. Given not out caught behind off Ajaz Patel, he was sent off on review after UltraEdge showed a spike.

The spike came as bat brushed pad, and Rohit Sharma said the bat was clearly close to the pad. India lost by 25 runs, completing New Zealand's 3-0 sweep.

For two teams that fight this hard, the links between them run unusually deep.

Wankhede Stadium · 2021 Born in Mumbai. Ten wickets in Mumbai. Ajaz Patel left Mumbai for New Zealand as a child. In December 2021 he took all ten in an innings at the Wankhede, 10 for 119. Ajaz Patel · New Zealand spinner

Ajaz Patel left Mumbai for New Zealand as a child. In December 2021 he took all ten in an innings at the Wankhede, 10 for 119.

Kohli and Williamson Kohli. Williamson. Captains since 2008. They led India and New Zealand against each other in the semi-final of the 2008 Under-19 World Cup. India won and went on to take the title. They later captained their countries' senior Test sides. Under-19 World Cup · Kuala Lumpur, 2008

They led India and New Zealand against each other in the semi-final of the 2008 Under-19 World Cup. India won and went on to take the title. They later captained their countries' senior Test sides.

Stephen Fleming · Chennai A Kiwi in yellow. Stephen Fleming, who beat India in the 2000 final as captain, has been head coach of Chennai Super Kings since 2009. Stephen Fleming · former New Zealand captain

Stephen Fleming, who beat India in the 2000 final as captain, has been head coach of Chennai Super Kings since 2009.

Stephen Fleming · former New Zealand captain

Ish Sodhi · New Zealand Born in Ludhiana. 30 wickets against India. Ish Sodhi moved to Auckland as a child. No one has taken more T20I wickets in this rivalry. Ish Sodhi · New Zealand leg-spinner

Born in Ludhiana. 30 wickets against India.

Ish Sodhi moved to Auckland as a child. No one has taken more T20I wickets in this rivalry.

Six balls, one fictional batter: you. Time your shot as the ball reaches the crease. Nothing you score here is a cricket record or a reported figure.

Press Bowl. As the red ball reaches the gold band, tap Swing or the pitch. Keyboard: Space or Enter.

Motion is reduced, so choose a shot for each ball: