Top 5 test matches between India and New Zealand

As the Kiwis prepare to slug it out one more time in the most dreaded and treacherous of subcontinental conditions, probably readying to clash in futile against an impregnable fortress, it is not a bad idea to take a look at the rich Test cricketing tradition between these two countries. In all, they have played against each other 54 times, of which, India has won 18 Tests (13 at home and 5 away) and New Zealand 10 (2 away and 8 at home).

In all, the two teams have played out 19 Test series, India dominating by winning 10, while New Zealand won 5 Tests, including the most recent one between the two teams. While India has won a couple of series in New Zealand, the latter is yet to win a series against India in India.

The two teams have faced off against each other in quite a few exciting matches. Here, we try to pick 5 of the most closely fought games between the two, as a pretext to an exciting series that is going to start from September 22^nd.

Interestingly, only one of the five matches were played in India, showing how a lot of matches in India ended up being one-sided wins for the home team.

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#1 Eden Park, Auckland, February 2014 (New Zealand won by 40 runs)

The closest margin of victory between the two teams in terms of runs came in the most recent Test series between them. Batting first, the Kiwis amassed 503 at a stunning RPO of 4.3, thanks to a Brendon McCullum double century, after he walked in at 30 for three and added 220 with Kane Williamson, who scored a century himself.

McCullum then added and other 130 with Corey Anderson as well and was the last man to be dismissed. India’s meek response of 202 put them behind by 301 runs. New Zealand didn’t enforce the follow-on but had a disastrous second innings, where they were wrapped up for just 105 in 41.2 overs, having been reduced to 25 for five at one point, the Indian seam bowlers wreaking havoc.

India eventually had a target of 407 and were on course to knock it off, as they were in a strong position at 222 for two, thanks to a Shikhar Dhawan century. However, India lost their way from then on and despite MS Dhoni’s valiant effort, they fell short by 40 runs – a missed opportunity they rued.

#2 Basin Reserve, Wellington, April 2009 (Match Drawn)

Although the match ended in a draw, it was more of a heartbreak for India as they narrowly missed out on an away win. Batting first, India scored 379 and took a big step towards victory by dismissing New Zealand cheaply for just 197 runs.

Zaheer Khan managed a five-wicket haul but India missed out on a definite win by being extra conservative as they batted on, bizarrely, for 116 overs to post 434 with Gautam Gambhir scoring 167. New Zealand were set a target of 617.

In the end, India’s lack of killer-instinct, bad light and rain combined to thwart them as New Zealand survived by the skin of their teeth. They were eventually 281 for the loss of 8 wickets after 94.3 overs when the match was finally called off. It was one of the closest draws in India-New Zealand Test history.

#3 Westpac Park, Hamilton, December 2002 (New Zealand won by 4 wickets)

In one of the shortest Test matches in terms of overs ever played between the two teams, on a minefield of a pitch, India were bundled out for 99 in 38.2 overs batting first. Interestingly, Day 1 of the Test had been abandoned and not much cricket was possible on Day 2 either.

Only VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh managed double figures as Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey looked unplayable. It was the same for New Zealand as well who were dismissed for just 94 in 38.2 overs, thanks to a five-wicket haul by Zaheer Khan. It was the first time in Test history that both teams scored less than 100 in their first innings and a team that scored less than 100 still managed a lead.

India were all out again for 154 in the second innings despite a brief, but stubborn partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. New Zealand had a target of 160 runs, the biggest total of the match but they were steadied by their skipper Stephen Fleming as the Kiwis knocked off the runs, with 4 wickets to spare.

New Zealand took the series 2-0 as India missed out on yet another chance to pick a valuable away victory, thanks to their famed lower-order woes.

#4 Basin Reserve, Wellington, December 1998 (New Zealand won by 4 wickets)

Batting first, India, were bundled out for 208. Even that score was courtesy of one Mohammad Azharuddin who scored an unbeaten 103* with Sachin Tendulkar’s 47 and Venkatesh Prasad’s 15 being the next highest scores. Simon Doull managed to pick up 7 wickets.

New Zealand posted a strong reply, scoring 352, with one of their bowlers, Dion Nash, top scoring with 89*, taking them to the final score from a precarious 208 for 7. India did well in their second innings, as Sachin’s 113 propped them up to 356 setting New Zealand a fourth innings target of 213.

New Zealand were in brief trouble at 74 for 5 but Chris Cairns scored 61, adding 137 with Craig McMillan, taking them to the doorstep of victory as New Zealand won the match by 4 wickets in a see-sawing contest.

#5 Brabourne Stadium, Bombay, March 1965 (Match drawn)

Image Courtesy: DNA India

In one of the most tightly contested draws in the history of the game, New Zealand posted 297 batting first thanks to a century by Graham Dowling. Ramakant Desai had taken a six-wicket haul cleaning up the New Zealand top-order.

India’s reply was pathetic, as they were bundled out for 88 with Chandu Borde top-scoring with 25 runs and Farokh Engineer scoring 17. These were the only two players to reach double figures. Asked to follow on, however, India scored 463 thanks to a double century by Dilip Sardesai who added 154 with Borde, who scored a century too, and then added another 193* with Hanumant Singh for the sixth wicket. New Zealand were set a target of 255.

India almost pulled off the miracle as New Zealand slipped to 46 for 7. However, some lower order resistance ensured the match ended with New Zealand on 80 for 8 after 43 overs. India did win the 4-match series 1-0 eventually.