One-day international cricket matches between India and New Zealand have always been thrilling. Now, the two teams are set to face each other once again, as the India vs New Zealand ODI series is scheduled to begin on January 11th. Looking at the history of these matches, the dominance of Indian bowlers is clearly evident. Several legendary bowlers have delivered memorable performances against New Zealand in ODIs and have taken a large number of wickets.
Most wickets for India against New Zealand in ODIs
| Player | Wickets | Matches | Average | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javagal Srinath | 51 | 30 | 20.41 | 4/23 |
| Anil Kumble | 39 | 31 | 27.84 | 5/33 |
| Mohammed Shami* | 38 | 16 | 21.15 | 7/57 |
| Kapil Dev | 33 | 29 | 27.60 | 3/26 |
| Zaheer Khan | 30 | 22 | 31.03 | 4/42 |
1. Javagal Srinath
Javagal Srinath is the Indian bowler with the most wickets against New Zealand in ODIs. He took 51 wickets in 30 matches between 1992 and 2003. Srinath's pace and accuracy often troubled the Kiwi batsmen. His best performance was 4 wickets for 23 runs, showcasing the strength of India's fast-bowling attack during that era.
2. Anil Kumble
Indian spin legend Anil Kumble took 39 wickets in 31 matches against New Zealand. His best performance was 5 wickets for 33 runs. Kumble was known for his variations and patience, and his greatest strength was consistently taking wickets in the middle overs.
3. Mohammed Shami
Experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami has taken 38 wickets in just 16 ODI matches between 2014 and 2025. His average and strike rate demonstrate how dangerous a bowler he is. Shami's performance of taking 7 wickets for 57 runs against New Zealand is considered the best performance by any Indian bowler to date.
4. Kapil Dev
Indian great all-rounder Kapil Dev took 33 wickets in 29 matches against New Zealand. Kapil Dev's swing bowling often gave India a great start with the new ball. His best bowling performance against New Zealand was 3/26.
5. Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan bowled in 22 matches against New Zealand and took 30 wickets. Zaheer is known for his left-arm fast bowling and his performances in big matches. His best performance was taking 4 wickets for 42 runs.
IND vs NZ 2026 ODI Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Sunday, 11 January | Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara |
| 2nd ODI | Wednesday, 14 January | Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot |
| 3rd ODI | Sunday, 18 January | Holkar Stadium, Indore |
Also Read: Top 5 bowlers with most wickets in India vs South Africa ODIs
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