New Zealand will face a mammoth challenge when they take on India in a three-match Test series, starting October 16 in Bengaluru. India are undefeated at home since 2012 and gunning them down would need no less than a miracle for New Zealand, who were hammered 2-0 by Sri Lanka recently. India, on the other hand, are in the middle of a juggernaut, with 18 consecutive series wins at home.
The India vs New Zealand series stands of utmost importance, especially for India, as a 3-0 win would book a berth in the World Test Championship ( WTC) final even before boarding the flight to Australia for the five-match Test series. Ahead of the first Test, let us look at how New Zealand have fared in India over the years.
New Zealand have played 36 Test matches in India, with the Kiwis winning two and losing 17 Test matches. 17 games were drawn Tests. New Zealand's first win in India was in Nagpur on the 1969 tour. The second win came in 1988 during a Test played at the Wankhede Stadium. Former India coach John Wright was New Zealand's captain and he led the side to a 136-run win over Dilip Vengasarkar-led team India.
New Zealand's Test Record In India
Match Results: 2 wins, 17 defeats, and 17 draws in 36 Tests.
Highest total: 630-6 (declare) in 198.3 overs at PCA Stadium, Mohali (October 2003).
Lowest total: 62 all out in 28.1 overs at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (December 2021).
Biggest win: New Zealand beat India by 167 runs in Nagpur (October 1969).
Most runs: 885 runs in nine Tests by Bert Sutcliffe.
Highest score: 230 not out by Bert Sutcliffe at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (December 1955).
Most 100s: 3 centuries in nine Tests by Bert Sutcliffe.
Most 50s: 5 half-centuries in five Tests by Tom Latham.
Most runs in a series: 611 runs in five Tests by John Reid during the New Zealand tour of India in 1955-56.
Most wickets: 31 wickets each by Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori.
Best bowling figures (innings): 10 for 119 in 47.5 overs by Ajaz Patel at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (December 2021).
Best bowling figures (match): 14 for 225 in 73.5 overs by Ajaz Patel at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (December 2021).
Most five-wicket hauls: 2 fifers each by Bruce Taylor, Tim Southee, Richard Hadlee, and Daniel Vettori.
Most 10 wickets in a match: 1 each by Ajaz Patel and Richard Hadlee.
Most wickets in a series: 18 wickets in 3 Tests by Richard Hadlee during the New Zealand tour of India in 1988.
Highest partnership: 231 runs for the first wicket between Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent at PCA Stadium in Mohali (October 2003).