If there’s one opponent that Indian fans don’t want their team to face in ICC tournaments, it’s clearly New Zealand. And if you are an Indian fan, then you must have guessed the reason by now.
The Kiwis always put up a close fight and have found considerable success against India in all ICC events. And their absolute best comes whenever they face India in the knockouts. That’s pretty visible from the matches contested between both sides.
So here’s the list of knockout matches played between India and New Zealand in ICC tournaments.
1. Champions Trophy Final, Nairobi, 2000
It was back in 2000 when India and New Zealand squared off in an ICC final for the first time. It was the second edition of the Champions Trophy played in Kenya.
New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming won the toss and invited India to bat first. India’s captain, Sourav Ganguly, provided a solid start along with Sachin Tendulkar.
The duo stitched a 141-run partnership for the first wicket. Tendulkar departed for 69 runs before Rahul Dravid joined Ganguly.
A 61-run stand between them saw India cross 200 runs. But then both returned to the pavilion within three overs, with the other batters not able to capitalise on the platform provided to them. So India finished with 264 for 6 in 50 overs, with Ganguly scoring 117 of them.
New Zealand came out to bat, but they had a poor start. They lost two wickets in six overs.
But a 45-run stand between Nathan Astle and Roger Twose stabilised their chase. As the Kiwis were getting back on track, they lost three wickets in the next eight overs.
That sort of brought India back into the game. But a 122-run partnership between Chris Cairns and Chris Harris put the curtains on India’s hope.
Cairns remained unbeaten on 102 and took the Blackcaps over the ropes with two balls to spare. With that, New Zealand clinched their first-ever ICC trophy.
2. Cricket World Cup Semi-Final, Manchester, 2019
After almost two decades, both sides met in the semi-final of the 2019 ODI World Cup. And this clash turned out to be a tense affair.
The toss went in New Zealand’s favour, and their skipper, Kane Williamson, chose to bat first. The decision turned out to be the right one.
Under the overcast conditions, India’s fast bowlers got some help and were able to keep the Kiwis quiet for a large part of the game. Henry Nicholls and Williamson put up a 68-run stand for the second wicket after they lost Martin Guptill early. Then Williamson had the company of Ross Taylor for the next 65 runs before he departed on 134.
Taylor then kept the scorecard ticking with small partnerships with middle-order batters. New Zealand were looking to get a decent total on the board, and then rain interrupted the play in the 47th over.
At that point, the Blackcaps were at 211 for 5. With no respite from rain, the match went into reserve day.
The next day, New Zealand resumed their innings and finished with 239 for 8. At this point, India were the favourites.
But New Zealand’s pacer pushed India back with three dismissals within 3.1 overs. India’s top order, which was in form, vanished within a matter of a few balls. That was half the battle won for the Kiwis.
But India’s middle order showed some fight. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya scored 30-odd runs each before MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja took matters into their own hands.
India seemed to be on track with two of the best finishers on the crease. But Jadeja’s dismissal in the 48th over and Dhoni’s run out in the next over all but derailed India’s chase. New Zealand bowled out India for 221 to win the semi-final by 18 runs.
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3. World Test Championship Final, Southampton, 2021
Two years later, both teams were back in England. And this time for a final. India and New Zealand made it to the inaugural World Test Championship final.
This match had a few similarities with the 2019 game. The two ‘R’s – rain and reserve day – that ruined India’s World Cup dream were back to haunt them this time around as well.
The final couldn’t start on the first day, and there was no play possible on the fourth day as well. So this match also went into reserve day.
Before that, the Kiwis won the toss yet again and asked India to bat first. India had a cautious start, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill weathering the first 20 overs.
But then both went back to the dugout, and the team kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane did manage a 61-run stand, but it wasn’t enough, as India packed for 217 runs.
In defence, India’s bowlers put up a good performance to reduce New Zealand to 162 for 6. But then gutsy knocks from Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee saw New Zealand take a decisive lead of 32 runs.
India came out to bat again, but they went down too quickly. Apart from Rohit, Rishabh Pant, and Cheteshwar Pujara, none stayed on the pitch for too long. The Indian team was back into the hut for 170 runs.
With 139 runs to chase, the Blackcaps didn’t make any mistakes and cruised to the target in 45.5 overs. India’s dream was yet again dashed as New Zealand lifted the Test mace.
4. Cricket World Cup Semi-Final, Mumbai, 2023
The 2023 World Cup saw a rematch of the 2019 semi-final. But this time, luck (and the weather) were on India’s side.
India had come into the semi-final with nine wins on the trot, which also included a victory over the Kiwis. With India playing at home, they were the clear favourites.
Fortunately, India won the toss this time around and decided to bat first. As was the case throughout the tournament, captain Rohit Sharma provided a quick start, while Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer made their way through the middle overs.
Kohli and Iyer got their individual centuries, while Gill remained not out on 80. Kohli’s 117 was even special as it was his 50th hundred in the format to go past Sachin Tendulkar’s tally.
Alongside that, KL Rahul added 39 runs in 20 balls to end India’s innings at 397 for 4. It was more than enough for India’s bowlers to keep the Kiwis away from the target.
And Mohammed Shami got into the act quickly. He struck two early wickets to send New Zealand reeling at 39 for 2.
But then, an equally impressive counterattack from Williamson and Daryl Mitchell saw the Kiwis get back into the chase. The duo built an 181-run stand for the third wicket to take their side to 220 for 2.
New Zealand seemed to be back on track, and then Shami dealt two blows in the 33rd over. But it wasn’t enough, as Mitchell held onto one side while he got good company in Glenn Phillips.
With the match into death overs, the Blackcaps needed 132 runs. And the set duo of Mitchell-Phillips was their only hope.
Phillips started to attack to shift the momentum, but that turned out to be the reason behind his dismissal. Bumrah got rid of him and opened a window for India to take control.
Then Shami got into the act to complete his fifer. He removed the dangerous Mitchell with 28 balls still to go in the game. And then New Zealand crumbled to 327 runs, with India sealing the match by 70 runs.
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