India vs New Zealand head-to-head in ICC knockouts: a look back

Wicketkeeper K.L. Rahul of India looks on as Mitchell Santner of New Zealand bats during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between New Zealand and India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 2, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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Fans are eagerly waiting for the D-Day of the ICC Champions Trophy when India meets New Zealand in the final at Dubai on Sunday (March 9, 2025).

India and New Zealand have clashed four times in ICC knockout games. Statistically, New Zealand with a 3-1 margin, holds the upper-hand over India.

Here are the four matches featuring the two rivals in the ICC knockouts:

2000 Champions Trophy final, Nairobi, October 15, 2000

Chris Harris and Geoff Allot of New Zealand were seen in a midwicket conversation in the final of ICC KNOCKOUT 2000 One Day International (ODI) cricket match between India and New Zealand held at Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi on October 15, 2000.
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The Hindu Archives

India and New Zealand met first in an ICC knockout game when Sourav Ganguly and Stephen Fleming were the respective captains. New Zealand won the toss and opted to field. Riding on a brilliant century from Ganguly (117) and a well-made 69 from Sachin Tendulkar, India finished at 264 for six. Chasing a target of 265, the Blackcaps were in a spot of bother at 132 for five. But Chris Cairns (102 n.o.) had other ideas. He along with Chris Harris took New Zealand past the Indian total with just two balls to spare.

2019 ODI World Cup semifinals, Manchester, July 9, 2019

New Zealand’s Colin de Grandhomme, left, celebrates the run-out of India’s MS Dhoni, right, during the Cricket World Cup semi-final match between India and New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on July 10, 2019.
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AP

India and New Zealand locked horns in the first semifinal of the 2019 World Cup in Manchester. The captains were Kane Williamson (New Zealand) and Virat Kohli (India). Winning the toss and electing to bat, New Zealand rode on Williamson (67) and Ross Taylor (74) to finish at 239 for eight.

Chasing a target of 240, India faced some hostile bowling and were in a spot of bother at 92 for six. Then a brilliant partnership from M.S. Dhoni (50) and Ravindra Jadeja (77) took India to 208 in 47.5 overs. It all depended on the brilliance of finisher Dhoni. But a brilliant throw from Martin Guptill ended Dhoni’s innings and broke the hearts of Indian fans. India was bundled out for 221 and New Zealand won by 18 runs.

2021 ICC Test championship final, Southampton, June 18-23, 2021

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson celebrates with the trophy and teammates after winning the final to because the ICC World Test Champions on June 23, 2021 
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Action Images via Reuters

Williamson and Kohli were the rival skippers. New Zealand won the toss and opted to field. However, a brilliant Kyle Jamieson (five for 31) bundled out India for 217 in the first innings. Indian bowlers led by Mohammed Shami (four for 76) and Ishant Sharma (three for 48) knocked the opposition out for 249.

In the second innings, Tim Southee (four for 48) and Trent Boult (three for 39) put the brakes on Indian batters and bundled India out for 170. India needed a miracle to win the first ICC Test championship but Williamson (52 n.o.) and Taylor (47 n.o.) took the Blackcaps past the winning line.

2023 ICC ODI World Cup, Mumbai, November 15, 2023

Mohammed Shami and Rohit Sharma celebrates after winning ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Semi Final 1 between India and New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15, 2023
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EMMANUAL YOGINI

This is the fourth time that both the teams met in an ICC knockout. Fans were expecting India to overcome the jinx. The captains were Rohit Sharma and Williamson. Winning the toss, India opted to bat. Rohit (47) and Shubman Gill (80 n.o.) did well but the match’s highlights were the brilliance of Kohli (117) and Shreyas Iyer (105). India finished at a massive 397 for four. Though Southee claimed three wickets he went for 100 runs in his 10 overs.

Chasing 398, New Zealand lost two wickets for 39. Williamson (69) and Daryl Mitchell (134) added 181 for the third wicket. After the dismissal of Williamson, Mitchell continued to fight with the help of Glenn Phillips (41). But the dismissal of Mitchell in the 46th over ended the chase and New Zealand fell short by 70 runs. Shami was the wrecker-in-chief as he took seven for 57 and was named the player-of-the-match.

K.L. Rahul of India celebrates as Will Young of New Zealand reacts as he is bowled out by Varun Chakravarthy of India (not pictured) during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between New Zealand and India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 2, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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ICC via Getty Images

Cut to the present, New Zealand leads India at 3-1 in ICC knockouts and it remains to be seen whether India can reverse the trend and emerge on top at Dubai on March 9, 2025.