Indias ODI Struggles in New Zealand: A Historical Overview

Auckland, November 3 (Daily Kiran) : As India gears up to face New Zealand in the first ODI of a five-match series on Wednesday in Auckland, the team's historical performance in this format on Kiwi soil raises concerns. Cricket in New Zealand has never been straightforward for visiting teams, and India is no exception. However, following a strong showing in the recent T20 series, expectations are high for an exciting ODI series.In total, India and New Zealand have clashed in 123 ODIs, with India winning 63 of those matches. New Zealand has secured victory in 52 matches, while seven games ended without a result, and one match was tied. Historically, India has struggled in ODIs played in New Zealand. Out of 45 matches, India has only managed to win 14, suffering defeat in 26 encounters. One match ended in a tie, and four games did not produce a result. India's highest ODI score in New Zealand stands at 392 runs for four wickets, achieved in Christchurch on March 8, 2009, when they triumphed.Conversely, the team's lowest score in New Zealand was a disappointing 92 runs, recorded on January 31, 2019. New Zealand's highest score against India at home came on February 5, 2020, when they posted 348 runs for six wickets. Among Indian batsmen, Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the highest ODI innings in New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten 163 runs off 133 balls in Christchurch on March 8, 2009. Virender Sehwag follows closely with a score of 125 not out from 74 balls in Hamilton on March 11, 2009.On the bowling front, Anil Kumble boasts the best bowling figures for India in New Zealand, taking five wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs in Wellington on March 30, 1994. Currently, Virat Kohli is India's most successful batsman against New Zealand, amassing 1,897 runs in 36 matches from 2010 to 2026, including seven centuries and ten fifties. He has a highest score of 154 not out and could reach 2,000 ODI runs against the Kiwis in this series. Javagal Srinath remains India's leading wicket-taker against New Zealand, with 51 wickets in 30 matches.Following him are Anil Kumble with 39 wickets in 31 matches and Mohammed Shami with 38 wickets in 16 matches.