Cricket World Cup History: Top 3 India vs New Zealand World Cup clashes

Title favourites, India, will clash with the Black Caps in the first semi-final of ICC World Cup 2019. Virat Kohli’s men have been in an exceptional form in the 2019 World Cup. Only England got the better of them in the group stage games and they finished on the top of the points table.

However, if we take a look at the head-to-head record of both teams in Cricket World Cups, New Zealand have a slight edge over India. The two nations have collided in 8 World Cup matches so far and the Kiwis have emerged victorious on 4 occasions. The recent World Cup encounter between these two sides ended in a washout because of rain.

Tomorrow, the teams will lock horns for the 9th time in World Cup history and here we take a look at the top 3 World Cup clashes between India and New Zealand.

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#3 1975 World Cup

New Zealand won by 4 wickets (with 7 balls remaining)

India locked horns with New Zealand in their final group stage match of the 1975 World Cup. Indian skipper S Venkataraghavan elected to bat first after winning the toss at Old Trafford. A 70-run knock from Abid Ali took India to 230 in 60 overs. Brian McKechnie was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand with figures of 3/49.

In reply, New Zealand’s opener Glenn Turner hit a fantastic century to take his team near the target. The Kiwis lost some wickets in the middle but some good contributions from the middle order batsmen took them home. Syed Abid Ali starred for India in the bowling department as well with figures of 2/35. However, New Zealand won that match by 4 wickets in the 59th over.

#2 1999 World Cup

Sachin Tendulkar and Dion Nash

India had already been eliminated from the World Cup before they took the field versus New Zealand in this match but Mohammad Azharuddin’s men tried to salvage some pride before returning home. India won the toss and batted first at Trent Bridge. Ajay Jadeja’s half-century guided the Men in Blue to a handsome total of 251/6 in 50 overs. Chris Cairns scalped 2 wickets for New Zealand.

In the 2nd innings, Kiwi opener Matt Horne played a wonderful knock of 74 runs before team India bounced back in the match. The bowlers dismissed the other top-order batsmen cheaply but number 5 batsman, Roger Twose stayed calm and held his end.

New Zealand’s wicket-keeper batsman, Adam Parore drove the team home on the back of his quick-fire 26*(14). Parore struck 5 fours in his short innings to help New Zealand win the match in the 49th over.

#1 2003 World Cup

Daryl Tuffey of New Zealand bowling

Now, shifting our focus to the last completed World Cup match between India and New Zealand, the two teams met each other in the 7th Super of the 2003 World Cup. Indian skipper, Sourav Ganguly won the toss and decided to bowl first at the SuperSport Park in Centurion and the Indian bowlers pleased their captain with a commendable bowling performance.

Zaheer Khan led the charge for India as the left-arm pacer took 4 wickets in the innings. Harbhajan Singh and Ashish Nehra supported him with tidy spells before India wrapped New Zealand for just 146 runs in 45.1 overs.

India lost their first three wickets very early in the chase. However, a patient partnership between Mohammad Kaif and Rahul Dravid helped India win the match in a convincing manner.

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Which team do you think has the upper hand heading into the first semi-final? Share your answers in the comments box below.