India vs New Zealand 2023
Top 5 most memorable IND vs NZ encounters in T20Is
It often produces a nail biter when these two heavy weights clash.
India and New Zealand are two of the best T20I sides in the world. Naturally, when these two teams clash against each other, it makes for some nail-biting affair. There have been numerous matches where fans have been given more than their money’s worth. Let’s look at 5 of the most memorable matches between India and New Zealand.
Here are the top 5 most memorable IND vs NZ matches:
India’s only loss in World Cup Campaign, 2007
India vs New Zealand 2007 (Image source: Twitter)
India’s loss to New Zealand in the 2007 T20 World Cup was a disappointment for the Indian cricket team and fans. The match took place on September 14, 2007, at the Kingsmead in Durban, South Africa. India considered one of the favourites, struggled and were restricted to a total of 158 runs by New Zealand. The Black Caps reached the target with 7 wickets and 8 balls to spare. The loss highlighted the need for the Indian team to improve their performance in the shorter format of the game.
Yuvraj Singh’s disappointing comeback, 2012
Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni (Image source: Twitter)
Having not won a single T20I against New Zealand, India has a great chance to get their first when Kiwis toured for a 2 match series. After the first was abandoned due to rain, India went into the other hoping to turn the tides but faced a heartbreaking loss yet again.
On the back of Brandon MaCullum’s 91 New Zealand posted a total of 167/5 which India came very close to achieving but missed by a whisker. MS Dhoni played an uncharacteristically slow inning of 22 off 23 and lost the match by 1 run. It was also Yuvraj Singh’s first match after his successful cancer operation. He however had to face defeat on his valiant comeback.
India’s first T20I win against New Zealand, 2017
India vs New Zealand (Image source: Twitter)
India secured a historic win against New Zealand in the first T20I match of the series. The visitors put up a strong performance with both bat and ball, setting a target of 204 for the hosts. India’s top-order batsmen, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli played crucial innings and helped India to chase the target in the last over. The Indian bowlers also performed well, led by Jasprit Bumrah who took 3 wickets in his spell. The win was a complete team effort by India and set the tone for the rest of the series. With this win, India also ended their losing streak in T20Is in New Zealand.
First Super over between India and New Zealand, 2020
Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul (Image source: Twitter)
After winning the first two T20Is in the 5 match series India and New Zealand clashed in the third for a chance for India to clinch the series. The match turned out to be a high-scoring draw in the 20 overs and both teams scored 179.
In the super-over however, it was Rohit Sharma who hit a six on the last ball when four runs were required to win India the match. Sharma hit 2 sixes and 1 four while chasing 17 run target taking India to a memorable series win.
Back-to-back Super overs, 2020
Shardul Thakur (Image source: Twitter)
Just two days later the two teams clashed again and brought out another super over. Manish Pandey hit a classy half-century in the first inning to take India’s score to 165/8.
In the T20I match between India and New Zealand, the hosts were in a strong position with 7 runs needed off 6 balls and 7 wickets in hand. However, India’s Shardul Thakur delivered a stunning final over to tie the match. In the Super Over, New Zealand scored 13 runs but India’s Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli chased the target successfully to win the match and lead the series 4-0. Tim Southee, who had taken the ball in the Super Over, was left heartbroken again, as were the New Zealand fans.
