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

After sharing the spoils in the shorter formats, with India registering a whitewash in the T20Is and New Zealand hitting back in the ODIs, the teams have now shifted focus to the longer format of the game. India and New Zealand will now face each other in a two-match Test series.

The first Test will be played in Wellington from 21 February, and the second in Christchurch from 29 February. The last time India visited New Zealand for a Test series, back in 2013-14, they lost the two-match series 1-0. Virat Kohli’s men will be keen to set the record straight this time around.

If we look at the head-to-head Test record between the teams, India and New Zealand have taken on each other in 57 matches. India have a superior record, having won 21 matches and lost 10. 26 matches have ended without a result.

In New Zealand, the hosts have an edge, having won eight and lost five out of 23 matches. The other 10 games have ended in a stalemate.

On that note, here’s a closer look at five significant records pertaining to India vs New Zealand Tests.

#1 Highest team total

New Zealand v India Test match. File Pic

New Zealand’s 680 for 6 declared at Wellington in February 2014 is the highest team total in India vs New Zealand Tests. The score was registered in the Kiwis’ second innings of the match.

After New Zealand were bowled out for 192, India responded with 438 courtesy Ajinkya Rahane’s 118 and Shikhar Dhawan’s 98. Under pressure, Brendon McCullum’s 302 then led New Zealand’s fightback.

For India, their highest team total is 583/7 declared at Ahmedabad in October 1999. India batted first and posted the impressive score courtesy skipper Sachin Tendulkar’s maiden double hundred (217), and hundreds from Sadagopan Ramesh (110) and Sourav Ganguly (125).

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New Zealand were rolled over for 308 in response despite 70s from Nathan Astle and Chris Cairns. Anil Kumble starred for India with 5 for 82.

This was the match in which India refused to enforce the follow-on, allegedly at the behest of coach Kapil Dev. The decision snowballed into a huge controversy as the match ended in a draw.

#2 Most Runs

Rahul Dravid

Former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid has scored the highest number of runs in India vs New Zealand Test matches. In 15 matches, Dravid notched up 1,659 runs at an average of 63.80, and a best of 222 at Ahmedabad in October 2003. The drawn match also saw hundreds from Nathan Astle and Sourav Ganguly.

For New Zealand, McCullum holds the record for having scored the most runs against India. In 10 matches, he scored 1,224 at an average of 68.00.

#3 Highest individual scores

Brendon McCullum

McCullum’s incredible 302 at Wellington in February 2014 is the highest individual score in India vs New Zealand Tests. With New Zealand having lost half their side for 94 in the second innings, McCullum engineered a stupendous counter-attack, hitting 32 fours and four sixes as the Kiwis managed to draw the encounter.

For India, Vinoo Mankad’s 231 opening the innings at Chennai in January 1956 is the highest against the Kiwis. Mankad smashed 21 fours in the 525-minute knock as India batted first. This was the same match in which Mankad featured in the record 413-run stand with Pankaj Roy (173).

New Zealand folded for 209 and 219 in the two innings as India won the game comprehensively, by an innings and 109 runs. Subhash Gupte picked up 5 for 72 and 4 for 73 in the match.

#4 Most centuries

Rahul Dravid

Dravid holds the record for having notched up the most hundreds in India-New Zealand Tests. In 15 Tests, ‘The Wall’ has six hundreds to his name, including a century in each innings at Hamilton in 1999. Apart from the centuries, he also scored six half-centuries.

For New Zealand, it’s McCullum again who has hit the most Test hundreds versus India. In 10 Tests, the former Kiwis skipper smashed four hundreds.

Apart from the 302 at Wellington, he notched up 225 at Hyderabad in November 2010 and 224 at Auckland in February 2014. McCullum also has two fifties to his name against India.

#5 Most wickets

Sir Richard Hadlee

Kiwi legend Sir Richard Hadlee has picked up the most Test wickets for New Zealand against India. In 14 Tests, Hadlee claimed 65 wickets at an average of 22.96. Hadlee picked up four five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls against India. His best innings figures against India were 7 for 23 at Wellington in February 1976.

As for India, former left-arm spinner Bishen Singh Bedi has claimed the most Test wickets against the Kiwis. Having played 12 Tests, Bedi claimed 57 wickets at a brilliant average of 19.14. Bedi had four five-wicket hauls to his name against the Kiwis. His best bowling analysis was 6 for 42 at Mumbai in September 1969.