India vs New Zealand T20s: Top 5 records to know about

Having come from behind to register a 2-1 series win against Australia at home, India are now preparing for the next challenge, the tour of New Zealand. India will take part in a full tour of the Kiwi nation, starting with the five-match T20I series at Eden Park in Auckland.

India have been dealt a big blow ahead of the T20Is with Shikhar Dhawan being ruled out due to the shoulder injury he picked up while fielding against Australia at Bengaluru on Sunday. It will give KL Rahul another opportunity to stake his claim for the World T20 as an opener.

The last time these two teams met in international cricket, it turned out to be heartbreak for India as they were outdone in the World Cup semi-finals. Head-to-head as well, New Zealand have a superior record over India in T20Is -- with eight wins and three losses in 11 matches. Here’s a look at other significant records to know about in India-New Zealand T20I encounters.

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#1. Highest totals

Tim Seifert

New Zealand amassed 219 for 6 at Wellington on February 6, 2019, during India’s last tour to New Zealand. Opener Tim Seifert smashed a brilliant 84 from 43, taking the attack to the Indian bowlers. This is the highest team score registered in an India vs New Zealand T20I. India were all out for 139 in response, and lost the game by 80 runs. Tim Southee was the best bowler for New Zealand with 3 for 17.

Also see - India New Zealand schedule

As for India, the highest team total against New Zealand is 208 for 6. This came at Hamilton on February 10, 2019. However, India lost the match by four runs as Dinesh Karthik turned down a single in the last over, with Krunal Pandya batting at the other end, a decision which led to a huge controversy back in India.

#2. Most runs

Brendon McCullum

Former New Zealand captain and dashing batsman Brendon McCullum has scored the most number of runs in India-New Zealand T20I matches. He played four games against India and scored a total of 261 runs.

McCullum’s runs came at an average of 130.50, buoyed by two not outs, and a strike rate of 137.36. McCullum registered three fifties in four games with a highest of 91.

For India, another former captain MS Dhoni has scored the most runs. Dhoni has featured in all the 11 matches against New Zealand till date, and has 223 runs to his name at an average of 37.16 with a strike rate of 111.50 and a highest score of 49.

#3. Highest individual scores

Colin Munro

New Zealand’s explosive opening batsman Colin Munro holds the record for the highest individual score in India-New Zealand T20Is. He smashed an unbeaten 109 from 58 balls at Rajkot in a match played on November 4, 2017. Munro’s sensational knock featured seven fours and an equal number of sixes.

Courtesy’s the left-hander’s explosive innings, New Zealand put up 196 for 2 batting first. India managed only 156 in response as the Kiwis won the contest by 40 runs. Munro’s innings remains the sole hundred registered in India-New Zealand T20Is till date.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan and his opening partner Rohit Sharma jointly hold the record for the highest individual score by an Indian. In an amazing co-incidence both of them scored 80 in the same match, played at Delhi on November 1, 2017. While Dhawan smashed 80 from 52, Rohit got his runs from 55 balls.

Thanks to the openers, India put up 202 for 3 on the board batting first. New Zealand were restricted to 149 for 8 as India won the contest by 53 runs.

#4. Most sixes

Rohit Sharma

New Zealand opener Munro has blasted the most sixes in India-New Zealand contests. In seven matches, he has hit 17 sixes, scoring 248 runs at an average of 41.33 and a strike rate of 165.33.

For India, Rohit has hit the most maximums -- nine. In nine games, Rohit has a total of 198 runs against New Zealand at a average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 130.26, poor numbers which the opener will be keen to improve upon during the current tour.

#5. Most wickets

Ish Sodhi

New Zealand’s leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has picked up the most wickets in India-New Zealand games. In seven matches, he has picked up 11 wickets at an average of 16.18 and a strike rate of 12.5.

Memorably, his best figures of 3 for 18 were registered at Nagpur on March 15, 2016 during the World T20 clash. Chasing a small target of 127, India were bundled out for 79.

For India, the recently retired Irfan Pathan has claimed the most wickets. He picked up five scalps in four matches at an average of 25.20 and a strike rate of 15.6, with best bowling figures of 3 for 31.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has also picked up five scalps, but has taken six games for the same.