As of now, no present-gen batsman ranks in the top three when it comes to the highest individual score between India and New Zealand
India is all set to take on New Zealand in the first Test of a three-match series against New Zealand from October 16, with the first Test scheduled to be played at Chennai’s M.A. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Given India’s recent performances on home soil, we can expect some Indian players to shatter old records to create new ones. On the other hand, the talented side of New Zealand is also capable of pulling a rabbit out of the hat.
However, before the game begins, let us take a look at the top three batsmen who hold the record for hitting the highest individual scores in India vs. New Zealand tests. Alongside, we have also mentioned the top three bowlers who have taken the most wickets in the history of India vs. New Zealand tests.
Despite retiring from Test cricket in 2011, Rahul Dravid, fondly called the "Wall of Indian cricket", remains the highest individual scorer against the Black Caps. During his career, he played 15 matches against the Kiwis, accumulating a total of 1,659 runs at an average of 63.80. In 15 Tests, he also racked up six fifties and six centuries, including a knock of 222, the highest score in Test against New Zealand by an Indian.
The Master Blaster holds the second spot with 1,595 runs accumulated in 24 Tests against the Kiwis. He etched an average of 46.91 and also recorded a score of 217, the second-highest by an Indian against the Kiwis. In 24 matches, Tendulkar also scored eight fifties and four centuries.
New Zealand’s former hitter and England’s present coach, Brendon McCullum, is the only Kiwi player to make it to the 1,000-run club. In 10 Tests he played against India, he scored 1,224 runs at an astounding average of 68.00. Not to forget, he scored a knock of 302, the highest by a player from either side in the history of India versus New Zealand’s Test rivalry. In the 10 Test games he played, McCullum scored two half-centuries and four 100s.
Moving on to the highest wicket-takers, Ravichandran Ashwin is the only active player (among wicket-takers and high-scorers) to feature on this list. Ashwin has played only nine against the Kiwis, but so far, he has picked up a whopping 66 wickets at an average of 15.43 with a best bowling innings (BBI) of 7/59.
The second place is secured by New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee, who played 14 games against India and scalped 65 wickets at an average of 22.96. Against India, his best-ever BBI was seven wickets for 23 runs.
Bishan Bedi bowls to Glen Turner, India vs New Zealand, Christchurch, February 1976 pic.twitter.com/uPYw7TO3an
— Rameshwar Singh (@RSingh6969a) May 29, 2021
It is quite astounding that despite retiring on August 30, 1979, the late Bishan Singh Bedi made this list. The legendary left-arm orthodox spinner and former captain of the Indian cricket team played 12 Test matches against the Kiwis, grabbing 57 wickets at an average of 19.14. Bedi, who passed away on October 23, 2023, had his best BBI of 6/42 against the Black Caps.
