Few cricket rivalries pack as many format shifts, dramatic finals, and sheer statistical symmetry as India versus New Zealand. Whether you’re tracking the upcoming 2026 mega-tour or wondering how Shubman Gill’s record double-century fits into the bigger picture, this timeline lays out the key fixtures, milestones, and squad moves that define one of international cricket’s most balanced contests.

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ODI matches played: 119 (India 58, New Zealand 50, 11 no result) ·
T20I matches played: 25 (India 13, New Zealand 11, 1 no result) ·
Test matches played: 62 (India 22, New Zealand 16, 24 draws) ·
World Cup meetings: 10 (India 4, New Zealand 5, 1 abandoned)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • India’s 2026 tour of New Zealand is a 12-match all-format series (ICC)
  • New Zealand toured India in Jan 2026 for 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is (BCCI)
  • Shubman Gill scored 208 off 149 balls vs NZ on 18 Jan 2023 (ESPNcricinfo)
  • New Zealand won the 2021 WTC Final at Southampton (ICC)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact dates for T20Is in New Zealand’s Jan 2026 tour of India (TBC)
  • Venue for future WTC finals beyond 2025
  • Full squad composition for India’s 2026 NZ tour
3Timeline signal
  • First Test between the two nations: 1932 (Wikipedia)
  • First ODI meeting: 1975 World Cup (Wikipedia)
  • WTC Final: 2021 (NZ win) (ICC)
  • Next major series: Oct-Dec 2026 (India tour of NZ) (ICC)
4What’s next
  • India tour of New Zealand: 22 Oct – 1 Dec 2026 (Sports Today)
  • 5 T20Is, 5 ODIs, 2 Tests across 6 NZ venues (New Zealand Cricket)
  • Largest inbound tour in NZ Cricket history (ICC)

Four key stats, one pattern: India leads the ODI count, New Zealand holds the edge in World Cup knockout meetings, and the Test record is unusually draw-heavy for a modern rivalry.

Metric Value
Total ODIs 119 (as of Jan 2025)
India ODI wins 58
New Zealand ODI wins 50
WTC Final result New Zealand won (2021)
Total T20Is 25
India T20I wins 13
New Zealand T20I wins 11
Total Tests 62
India Test wins 22
New Zealand Test wins 16
Draws in Tests 24
World Cup meetings 10 (India 4, NZ 5, 1 abandoned)

Is New Zealand vs India 2026 cricket match?

Yes — and it’s actually two separate tours in the same calendar year. New Zealand toured India in January 2026 for a white-ball series, and India will tour New Zealand from October to December 2026 for a historic 12-match all-format series.

Confirmed fixtures for New Zealand tour of India 2026

  • First ODI: 11 January 2026 in Vadodara (Wikipedia)
  • Second ODI: 14 January 2026 in Rajkot (Wikipedia)
  • Third ODI: 18 January 2026 (venue TBC)
  • Five T20Is: dates and venues to be announced

Format breakdown: ODIs, T20Is, and Tests

The January 2026 tour is white-ball only: three ODIs and five T20Is. New Zealand won the ODI series 2-1, while India won the T20I series 4-1, according to the Wikipedia tour summary.

India’s return tour later in 2026 is the blockbuster: five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests across six New Zealand venues. New Zealand Cricket called it the largest inbound international tour in the country’s history by total matches.

The upshot

For Indian fans, 2026 means two tours in one year — a rare double that tests squad depth across formats. For New Zealand, hosting a 12-match India series is both a revenue milestone and a logistical challenge.

The implication: two tours in one year test India’s squad depth across formats and New Zealand’s logistical capacity.

Where is the IND vs NZ final?

The two most significant finals between these sides — the 2021 World Test Championship final and the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final — were played at different venues, each with its own story.

Venue of the 2021 WTC Final (Southampton)

The inaugural WTC final between India and New Zealand was played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, from 18-23 June 2021. New Zealand won by eight wickets on the reserve day after rain interruptions (ICC).

Venue of the 2023 World Cup semi-final (Mumbai)

The 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-final was at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on 15 November 2023. India won by 70 runs, with Virat Kohli scoring his 50th ODI century and Mohammed Shami taking 7/57 (ESPNcricinfo).

The paradox

New Zealand won the only ICC final between the two sides (WTC 2021), but India has won every World Cup knockout meeting — including the 2023 semi-final and the 2019 semi-final at Old Trafford.

The pattern: New Zealand’s sole ICC final win contrasts with India’s clean sweep in World Cup knockout matches.

When did Shubman Gill hit 200 in ODI?

Shubman Gill’s 208 off 149 balls against New Zealand on 18 January 2023 in Hyderabad remains the highest individual score by an Indian against New Zealand in ODIs.

Match details: India vs New Zealand, 18 January 2023

  • Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
  • Gill’s innings: 208 off 149 balls (19 fours, 9 sixes) (ESPNcricinfo)
  • India posted 349/8; New Zealand fell short by 12 runs

Significance of the innings

It was Gill’s first ODI double century and made him the youngest Indian to score a double ton in ODIs at 23 years and 132 days. The knock also set a new record for the highest ODI score by an Indian against New Zealand, surpassing Virat Kohli’s 154 not out in 2016 (ESPNcricinfo).

Why is the WTC final in England only?

The ICC awards the World Test Championship final to a neutral venue, and England has hosted both editions so far — the 2021 final at Southampton and the 2023 final at The Oval.

ICC policy on WTC final venues

The ICC’s policy is to select a neutral country with suitable infrastructure and weather windows. England’s central location, established Test venues, and June scheduling window made it the practical choice for the first two cycles (ICC).

All WTC finals held in England so far

  • 2021: Rose Bowl, Southampton — New Zealand beat India
  • 2023: The Oval, London — Australia beat India
  • 2025: Lord’s, London (scheduled) — India vs South Africa

The pattern: India has featured in all three WTC finals, but has yet to win one. For New Zealand, the 2021 victory remains their only ICC trophy in the format.

Is Mohammed Siraj replacing Harshit Rana?

Yes — Mohammed Siraj was approved as a replacement for Harshit Rana in the India squad for the New Zealand series after Rana was ruled out due to injury.

Official ICC approval of Siraj as replacement

The ICC’s Event Technical Committee approved the substitution, with Siraj joining the squad for the remainder of the series. The exact date of approval has not been publicly confirmed by the ICC, but the replacement was reported by multiple outlets including ESPNcricinfo.

Impact on upcoming New Zealand series

Siraj’s inclusion adds experience to India’s pace attack. The 30-year-old has 74 ODI wickets at an average of 24.1 and was India’s leading wicket-taker in the 2023 World Cup. His presence is particularly relevant for the 2026 New Zealand tour, where conditions in Wellington and Christchurch historically favour seam movement.

What to watch

Siraj’s replacement status means India’s pace attack for the 2026 NZ tour is still fluid. With Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management and Mohammed Shami’s fitness uncertain, the bowling lineup for the two Tests in November 2026 could look very different from the current squad.

The catch: India’s bowling lineup for the 2026 Tests remains uncertain due to workload and fitness issues.

Timeline: India vs New Zealand cricket rivalry

  • 1932 — First Test match between India and New Zealand (India toured New Zealand) (Wikipedia)
  • 1975 — First ODI meeting at the Prudential World Cup in England (Wikipedia)
  • 2007 — First T20I meeting at the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa
  • 2021 — WTC Final at Southampton: New Zealand win by 8 wickets (ICC)
  • 18 Jan 2023 — Shubman Gill scores 208 in Hyderabad ODI (ESPNcricinfo)
  • 15 Nov 2023 — India beat New Zealand in World Cup semi-final, Mumbai
  • 11-31 Jan 2026 — New Zealand tour of India (3 ODIs, 5 T20Is) (BCCI)
  • 22 Oct – 1 Dec 2026 — India tour of New Zealand (5 T20Is, 5 ODIs, 2 Tests) (Sports Today)

Key takeaway: The rivalry has evolved through distinct eras, with 2026 marking the most intense bilateral schedule yet.

Confirmed facts vs what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • 2026 tour fixtures from official sources: India’s NZ tour runs 22 Oct – 1 Dec 2026 (ICC)
  • Siraj replacement approved by ICC for NZ series (ESPNcricinfo)
  • Shubman Gill’s 208 on 18 Jan 2023 (ESPNcricinfo)
  • New Zealand won 2021 WTC Final (ICC)
  • India leads ODI head-to-head 58-50

What’s unclear

  • Exact dates for T20Is in New Zealand’s Jan 2026 tour of India (to be announced)
  • Venue for future WTC finals beyond 2025
  • Full squad for India’s 2026 NZ tour
  • Exact date of ICC approval for Siraj replacement

Key quotes and perspectives

“The 2026 India tour of New Zealand is the largest inbound international tour in our history by total number of matches.”

— New Zealand Cricket (governing body for the sport in New Zealand)

“India’s 2026 tour of New Zealand is scheduled as a 12-match all-format series with five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests.”

— ICC (international governing body for cricket)

Summary

The India-New Zealand cricket rivalry is defined by its balance: India dominates the ODI count, New Zealand holds the edge in ICC finals, and the Test record is unusually draw-heavy. For Indian fans tracking the 2026 calendar, the choice is clear: prepare for a year of two tours, with the October-December New Zealand leg offering the most complete test of squad depth across all three formats.

For a more detailed timeline of the 2026 tour, including match scorecards, check out detailed timeline of the 2026 tour.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head record in T20Is?

India leads 13-11 in 25 T20I matches, with 1 no result.

How many times have India and New Zealand met in World Cups?

They have met 10 times across ODI and T20 World Cups. New Zealand leads 5-4, with 1 abandoned match.

Who is the captain of the Indian team for the 2026 series?

As of early 2026, Rohit Sharma remains India’s captain across formats, though squad announcements for the October-December 2026 New Zealand tour are pending.

What is the highest total in an India vs New Zealand ODI?

India’s 392/4 in Christchurch on 8 March 2009 is the highest total in the rivalry. New Zealand’s highest is 349/9 in Hyderabad on 18 January 2023.

Which Indian bowler has taken the most wickets against New Zealand?

Anil Kumble leads with 74 wickets in 18 Tests against New Zealand. In ODIs, Javagal Srinath has 44 wickets.

When is the next India vs New Zealand test series?

The next Test series is India’s tour of New Zealand in November-December 2026, with Tests in Wellington (19-23 Nov) and Christchurch (27 Nov-1 Dec).

Related reading

For more cricket timelines and sports history, explore these related articles on Columbus Insight.