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Not A Single Win Since 1988; New Zealand's Disastrous Record Test Against India

India and New Zealand [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X and @ICC/X]India and New Zealand [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X and @ICC/X]

India are set to face New Zealand in the first Test of a two-match series at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, starting on October 16. India come into the series in top form, sitting at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Their recent dominance, especially against Bangladesh, highlights their aggressive approach as they aim to stay on top.

India and New Zealand share a rich history in Test cricket, having faced each other 62 times. India has won 22 matches, while New Zealand has managed 13 victories. The remaining 27 games ended in draws. 

New Zealand Struggle Against India 

However, when it comes to playing on Indian soil, New Zealand have struggled. Their last victory in India came way back in 1988, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Since then, the Kiwis have played 18 Tests in India without winning a single one.

Over the years, New Zealand’s performances in Tests have been inconsistent. While they achieved glory by winning the inaugural WTC in 2021, they’ve found it hard to maintain momentum. 

New Zealand Eye Comeback After Disaster In Sri Lanka

Recently, they suffered a 0-2 defeat against Sri Lanka, with both matches played in Galle. This series loss has dropped them to 6th place in the current WTC standings. With just 3 wins out of 8 matches in this WTC cycle, New Zealand’s hopes of qualifying for the finals are hanging by a thread.

For New Zealand, the upcoming Tests against India present a chance to bounce back and revive their campaign. However, winning a Test series in India is a daunting task. Given India’s unbeaten home record against New Zealand for the last 36 years, the odds are not in the visitors’ favour. After this series, New Zealand will also face England, needing strong performances in both series to keep their WTC final hopes alive.

As the two teams prepare to clash, all eyes will be on how New Zealand approaches this challenge. India, with their home advantage and consistent performances, will aim to extend their dominance. For the Kiwis, these two Tests are more than just matches—they represent a chance to rewrite history and keep their WTC dreams alive.