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As Team India gears up for the Champions Trophy, a familiar hurdle stands in their way—New Zealand. Over the years, the Kiwis have become a major opponent in India's side, repeatedly ending their ICC dreams. Now, as Rohit Sharma's men prepare for the crucial knockout stage, the question looms: Can India finally overcome their arch-rivals?
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New Zealand has a history of derailing India’s campaign across formats. In the 2021 World Test Championship final, Virat Kohli's side was outplayed, losing by eight wickets. The 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final was another heartbreak, with India falling short by 18 runs in Manchester. The Kiwis also handed India a humiliating exit in the 2021 T20 World Cup group stage, winning by eight wickets.
Even in the T20 World Cups of 2016 and 2007, New Zealand outclassed India. Under MS Dhoni’s leadership, India lost in the 2016 Super 10 stage in Nagpur and the 2007 group stage in Johannesburg. Further back, the 2000 Champions Trophy final in Nairobi saw Sourav Ganguly’s India stumble to a four-wicket defeat.
In total, New Zealand has bested India 16 times in ICC tournaments—11 in ODIs, three in T20s, once in the Champions Trophy, and once in the WTC final. While Australia has traditionally been seen as India's biggest ICC rival, the Kiwis have proven to be an equally formidable adversary.
Will history repeat itself, or can India finally break the jinx?
