The Men in Blue dominate the Kiwis in the T20I format but have had tough outings in the World Cup

India and New Zealand are set to lock horns on Sunday evening in Ahmedabad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final. The odds are clearly in India’s favour, given that Sanju Samson has provided the team with much-needed stability. Therefore, momentum and home advantage make India the favourite to lift the trophy. It is important to note that while India has historically dominated the Kiwis in T20Is, the Kiwis have an advantage on the World Cup stage – how?

India vs. New Zealand head-to-head

Head-to-head, India and New Zealand have played 30 T20I matches against each other. Out of 30 matches, India won on 18 occasions, whereas New Zealand emerged victorious in 18 games. One match between the two sides ended in a tie.

Abhishek Sharma & Suryakumar Yadav show in 3rd T20Is vs New Zealand at Guwahati.

- Back to Back fifty by Surya.

- 2nd Fastest Fifty by Abhishek & Fastest by Yuvraj Singh in T20i

- THIS IS PEAK BATTING BY TEAM INDIA AHEAD OF T20 WORLD CUP 2026...!!!!🇮🇳
pic.twitter.com/BHLDEzlUc9

— MANU. (@IMManu_18) January 25, 2026

At home, India has won 11 matches, whereas on away ground, the Men in Blue grabbed four victories. At a neutral venue, India played one game that ended in a tie.

For New Zealand, four victories have come at home, followed by five away wins and two triumphs at a neutral venue.

T20 World Cup rivalry

In the history of the T20 World Cup, India and New Zealand have played three matches against each other, and all three matches went in New Zealand’s favour.

The two sides played their first-ever ICC T20 World Cup game in the 2007 edition in the group stage. India had posted a target of 180 runs, which was chased successfully by New Zealand.

🚨 INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND IN T20 WORLD CUPS 🚨

2007 – NZ won
2016 – NZ won
2021 – NZ won

New Zealand lead 3-0 against India in T20 World Cup history. 🤯

Can India finally break the streak next time? 🇮🇳🔥#INDvsENG #INDvsNZ #ENGvIND #T20WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/VwH55saLMn

— Crickerr (@crickerr) March 6, 2026

Nine years later, in 2016, the Kiwis humiliated India on the world stage when they scored only 126 runs in the first innings. However, what should’ve been a walk in the park for India became a shame parade as wickets tumbled down like Jenga blocks. The entire Indian batting line-up was wrapped at 79.

The last clash between the two sides was in 2021, which was also a low-scoring game. The Kiwis toyed with the Indian batting line-up, dismantling and halting them for a meagre total of 110 runs in 20 overs. In the second innings, the Black Caps chased the target in less than 15 overs with eight wickets in hand.

Last series

🚨 THE MOMENTS TEAM INDIA WON THE T20I SERIES Vs NEW ZEALAND 🚨

- The Pure dominance of Team India. 🇮🇳

pic.twitter.com/DRAwiY9v3I

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) January 25, 2026

The Men in Blue will still go into the match as a confident side, given that less than two months ago, in January, the Men in Blue won the five-match T20I series against the Kiwis with a scoreline of 4-1.

However, under no circumstances should the Kiwis be taken lightly because a small slip and India could lose the trophy, whereas the Black Caps will win their maiden ICC T20 World Cup.