T20 WC: India vs New Zealand head-to-head record and last five matches results ahead of final
Ahmedabad, March 7
An upbeat Indian team will square off against a strong New Zealand side in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, in what will be a second ICC tournament summit clash between the two teams in the past one year after the Champions Trophy final that took place a year ago, on March 9, 2025.
India head into the final against New Zealand with a slight edge. Playing at home, carrying the tag of defending champions, and coming off recent bilateral wins against the Kiwis, India appear to have momentum on their side. However, history provides a counterbalance-New Zealand have never been beaten by India in tournament encounters.
Both sides have experienced a turbulent path throughout the competition. At different stages, each team looked close to an early exit before producing strong turnarounds to secure their places in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
New Zealand's campaign faced a setback after their defeat to England, which left their semi-final qualification uncertain and dependent on other results. Ultimately, Pakistan's failure to register a large victory over Sri Lanka ensured the Black Caps progressed to the knockout stage.
In the semi-final, New Zealand produced an outstanding performance, defeating South Africa by nine wickets to secure their place in the final.
India's journey mirrored a similar roller-coaster. Entering the tournament as one of the favourites, their campaign took a major hit when they suffered a 72-run loss to South Africa during the Super Eights, putting them on the brink of elimination.
However, aided by a bit of fortune and strong performances when it mattered most, India bounced back impressively, registering dominant victories over West Indies and England to book their spot in a second consecutive T20 World Cup final.
Head-to-head record between India and New Zealand in T20Is
Total Matches Played: 30
India Won: 18
New Zealand Won: 11
Tied: 1
Performance of both teams in their last 5 matches
India: W, L, W, W, W
New Zealand: W, AB, W, L, W
Squads:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Sanju Samson (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel.
New Zealand: Tim Seifert (wk), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a neutral fan, this is a fantastic final matchup. Both teams have shown incredible resilience. New Zealand's comeback against SA was clinical. But India at the Narendra Modi Stadium? That's a fortress. Should be a cracker!
Honestly, I'm nervous. Our batting middle order looks a bit shaky. We are too dependent on Surya and Hardik. New Zealand's bowling attack with Ferguson and Santner is world-class. Hope our boys handle the pressure better this time.
Bhai, just one request to the team - please don't choke in the final! We have the best team on paper. Bumrah and Kuldeep are in prime form. Let's bring the cup home! 💙
Respectful criticism: The article mentions our "bit of fortune" to qualify. While true, it undersells the fight the team showed against WI and England. Those were commanding wins built on skill, not just luck. Let's give credit where it's due.
The head-to-head is 18-11 in our favour. That's a good omen! But finals are a different game. New Zealand are the silent assassins of world cricket. We need to start strong and not let Rachin Ravindra settle. Can't wait for Sunday!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.