India and New Zealand have faced each other various times, whether in bilateral or ICC Tournaments. India has the upper hand over the Kiwis when the two faces off in a bilateral series, but when the going gets tough, the Kiwis prove to be the team that outclasses India in ICC Tournaments. India hasn’t beaten New Zealand in an ICC tournament since 2003, and it’s been eighteen years since India overshadowed New Zealand in the 2003 Cricket World Cup. 

Also Read: Mohammad Shami And His Epic Connection With June 22

India has a long unbeaten record like this against their arch-rivals Pakistan, and some Indian fans are doubtful that the Kiwis are becoming like the side to hold such a record against their own country. India’s seven-wicket win in the 2003 World Cup under Sourav Ganguly was the last time they beat the Kiwis in an ICC tournament. Left-arm pace bowler Zaheer Khan took four wickets while off-spinner Harbhajan Singh took two as India skittled out Kiwis for 146 and won by seven wickets in Centurion 18 years ago. Since then, India has lost every match to the Black Caps at ICC events. They have faced off against each other five times (including one test series, which counted under the new ICC World Test Championship). Blackcaps have won all five ties convincingly, and India was set to reflect their own mistakes. In 2007 T20 title-winning campaign as well, India lost to New Zealand in Johannesburg, South Africa. In the 2016 T20 Cricket World Cup, which was held in India, India got bundled out for a mere 79, and Kiwis won by 40 runs in their opening game. No Indian fan can forget July 11, 2019, and what happened on that day. New Zealand gave Indians a heartbreak which they were not even imagining. It was the last time we saw Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the navy blue colors of India, and every Indian cricket team fan wants revenge for what they suffered that day. Lastly, India lost the final to New Zealand in the World Test Championship final in England in June 2021. That has certainly made a different perception of New Zealand cricket and has undoubtedly made them a team to be feared. 

If India wants to break this unwanted curse, they have a chance at this year’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in their backyard. Virat Kohli and his men would be looking for revenge not only for the WTC final but also for the past six times India lost to them in ICC Tournaments.

Image Credit: DNA India