Will India Break The New Zealand Jinx In T20 World Cup?

India in ICC tournaments against New Zealand is a story, not every Indian fan would like to hear. The horrors of 2019 had just started to go away when another heartbreak struck the fans in 2021 - the World Test Championship Final. 

The two heartbreaking losses against New Zealand aren't new, though. India has been losing to the Kiwis since 2007. In the inaugural T20 World Cup, Indians suffered a 10-run loss against New Zealand. In 2016 as well, the opening encounter of the T20 World Cup, India restricted Kiwis to just 126 but a disastrous chase meant, the hosts were all out for just 79. 

Apart from WTC Final, India, throughout the Test Championship, only lost a test series and that was against New Zealand in 2020 - a 2-0 loss. 

On 31st October, India will once again face New Zealand in the ICC T20 World Cup and it will be a virtual semi-final for both teams after they lost to Pakistan in their first matches. 

Indians had a thrashing against Pakistan where they lost by 10 wickets while New Zealand fought but couldn't defend the target either. 

India and New Zealand have been neck to neck against each other in T20Is in the past. In 17 matches, both the teams have won eight games each while one didn't get a result. 

• Total - 19
• India - 8
• New Zealand - 8 
• No Result - 1

IND v NZ In T20 World Cup:

• Total - 2
• New Zealand - 2
• India - 0

However, Indians will feel confident going against the Kiwis in T20 considering their last encounter. Virat Kohli's men in blue defeated the Blackcaps 5-0, and that too, while playing in New Zealand. The series was a memorable one as well, where two consecutive matches went into the super over. 

The virtual eliminator will bring the best out of both equally matched teams and it will take something for India to break the losing streak against New Zealand in ICC tournaments. 

New Zealand have had the advantage over India at ICC events of late. They beat India in the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup and the final of the World Test Championship earlier this year. So, India has some scores to settle today! #t20worldcup



- Gaurav Kalra (@GK75) 31 Oct 2021