India has often been a powerhouse in world cricket, but when it comes to ICC tournaments and historic encounters, one team has consistently emerged as their biggest roadblock—New Zealand. Whether it’s final heartbreaks, semi-final exits, or stunning Test dominance, the Kiwis have crushed Indian dreams time and again, proving to be the ultimate party spoilers. Here’s a look at four defining instances when New Zealand stood between India and ICC glory.
1. Nairobi Nostalgia – 2000 Champions Trophy Final
🏆 New Zealand won by 4 wickets in Nairobi
The turn of the millennium saw Sourav Ganguly’s India on the brink of their first major ICC trophy since 1983. With Ganguly leading from the front, India put up 264/6, thanks to his magnificent 117 off 130 balls. New Zealand’s chase started steadily with Nathan Astle’s 37, but a middle-order collapse left them reeling at 132/5, putting India in firm control. Just when victory seemed within reach, Chris Cairns played an all-time classic knock.
- Cairns’ unbeaten 102 off 113 balls turned the game on its head, aided by Chris Harris (46 off 64) in a match-winning 122-run partnership.
- The Kiwis chased down the total with four wickets to spare, sealing their first-ever ICC trophy and leaving India with heartbreak in Nairobi.
2. Matt Henry & Manchester Magic – 2019 ODI World Cup Semi-Final
🏏 New Zealand won by 18 runs
India dominated the 2019 World Cup league stage, entering the semi-finals as favorites. But in a rain-hit, two-day thriller at Old Trafford, Manchester, New Zealand’s bowlers delivered a masterclass in pressure cricket, stunning India when it mattered the most. After posting 239/8, New Zealand needed early wickets to stay alive—and Matt Henry & Trent Boult answered the call.
- Matt Henry (3/37) tore through India’s top order, dismissing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul cheaply.
- Trent Boult trapped Virat Kohli lbw for 1, reducing India to a shocking 5/3—their worst-ever start in a World Cup knockout game.
- Jadeja (77 off 59) and Dhoni (50 off 72) fought valiantly, keeping India’s hopes alive.
- Martin Guptill’s brilliant direct hit to run out Dhoni when India needed 25 off 10 balls proved to be the final blow.
Despite a spirited fightback, India fell short by 18 runs, as New Zealand stormed into the final, shattering India’s World Cup dream.
3. Pacers Kane & Ross, Rose to the Occasion at the Rose Bowl – 2021 WTC Final
🥇 New Zealand won by 8 wickets
The inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Southampton’s Rose Bowl was India’s golden opportunity to assert their dominance in Test cricket. However, New Zealand’s pace attack and experienced finishers made sure India’s dream remained unfulfilled.
- Kyle Jamieson’s 5/31 wrecked India’s first innings, restricting them to 217.
- In the second innings, Tim Southee (4/48) and Trent Boult (3/39) ran through India’s batting lineup, bundling them out for 170.
- Kane Williamson (52) and Ross Taylor (47)** then held their nerve, steering New Zealand to a comfortable eight-wicket victory.
With that clinical performance, New Zealand became the first-ever ICC World Test Champions, once again proving to be India’s biggest stumbling block.
4. 2023 ODI World Cup Semi-Final: India Gave New Zealand a Taste of Their Own Medicine
💥 India won by 70 runs
After years of heartbreak at the hands of New Zealand, India finally got their revenge in the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final. In a high-pressure encounter at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India delivered a performance for the ages, crushing the Kiwis in emphatic fashion.
Batting first, India posted a colossal 397/4 in 50 overs, thanks to an extraordinary batting display.
- Virat Kohli created history with his 50th ODI century (117 off 113 balls), surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
- Shreyas Iyer unleashed carnage with a brutal 105 off just 70 balls, while Shubman Gill (80) and Rohit Sharma (47 off 29)* provided the perfect support.
Chasing 398, New Zealand put up a fight, led by Daryl Mitchell’s valiant 134, but India had the final say.
- Mohammed Shami delivered a spell for the ages, ripping through the Kiwi lineup with an incredible 7/57.
- Despite Mitchell’s heroics, New Zealand fell short by 70 runs, as India finally exorcised their ICC demons against the Black Caps.
With this dominant win, India overcame their Kiwi curse, breaking the streak of ICC heartbreaks and marching into the final in style.