The Indian cricket team suffered yet another loss in the ICC World T20 2021, with New Zealand once again proving to be the ultimate bogey team for Virat Kohli’s side.
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It is now official! New Zealand is the ultimate nightmare for India when it comes to major ICC tournaments. Be it ODIs, T20Is or Tests, New Zealand has the edge over India when it comes to performances in major ICC tournaments. The eight-wicket loss in Dubai during the ICC World T20 2021 is a continuation of the nightmare for Virat Kohli and his team against New Zealand. India were undone by the discipline shown by the New Zealand bowlers as they managed just 110/7 in 20 overs. Daryl Mitchell was in fine form as he blasted 49 and was aided by Kane Williamson’s solid knock, New Zealand has put India on the brink of elimination.
This continued India’s horror show against New Zealand in ICC events. Ever since 1992, India and the Kiwis have clashed in nine major matches in ICC events. New Zealand has won eight in that period, with India winning just one. NZ won the 1992 and 1999 World Cup encounters against India in Dunedin and Trent Bridge. In 2000, New Zealand won their first major ICC event by beating India in the ICC Champions Trophy final.
India won the 2003 ICC World Cup clash in South Africa by seven wickets but since then, NZ has held the initiative. In 2019, they knocked India out of the World Cup semifinal. However, India did not end the jinx as they lost in the final of the ICC World Test Championships. In between, there have been Twenty20 contests that have seen New Zealand win.
Apart from ODIs and Tests, New Zealand has ensured their domination of India in the ICC World T20 competition. The eight-wicket win in Dubai was another exhibition of dominance by Kane Williamson’s team against India. In Twenty20 International competitions, New Zealand now holds a 9-8 advantage against India following the win. But, it is in the World T20 that New Zealand has extended their advantage to 3-0 against India. Here is a look at the dominance of New Zealand against India in the ICC World T20.
In the ICC World T20 2007, India had suffered only one loss in the whole tournament. That was to NZ. In the match in Johannesburg, India chose to field. But, NZ was boosted by some magnificent batting. Brendon McCullum smashed 45 but the onslaught came from the lower-middle order. Craig McMillan hit 44 off 23 balls with four sixes. Jacob Oram smashed 35 off 15 with two fours and three sixes as New Zealand ended on 190. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir started aggressively with a 76-run opening stand.
However, Daniel Vettori was the star with a magnificent haul of 4/20 in four overs. Gambhir hit 51 but when he fell, the challenge ended for India. India lost by 10 runs but they still went on to win the title.
On a pitch that was assisting spin right from the first ball, NZ put on a tactical masterclass. They left out Tim Southee and Trent Boult on the Nagpur deck and went in with a majority spin attack. NZ batted first and they struggled. Corey Anderson was the top scorer with 34 and a blitz from Luke Ronchi at the end gave New Zealand a total of 126/7.
NZ opened with the spinners and they ran through the Indian batting. Mitchell Santner was the star with 4/11. Virat Kohli held firm with 23 but he was dismissed by Ish Sodhi. MS Dhoni kept the game alive with an aggressive 30 but once he fell to Santner, India was bowled out for 79. This was the fifth consecutive time India had lost to New Zealand in Twenty20 Internationals.
The Indian cricket team arrived in the match after losing a World Cup match for the first time against Pakistan. The Kiwis had also suffered a loss to Pakistan and thus, this match was a must-win. NZ chose to bowl and they immediately made inroads. From overs seven to 16, for 71 balls to be precise, India did not hit a single boundary as they became bogged down.
India managed just 110/7, with Ravindra Jadeja’s final over assault helping India cross 100. This total was never going to challenge New Zealand. Daryl Mitchell was in fine form as he smashed 49. Kane Williamson guided NZ over the line as they won by a massive margin which dented India’s NRR. With Pakistan already securing a spot in the playoffs from the group, this loss has made it very difficult for India to go through to the next round.
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