New Zealand doesn’t just defeat India in ICC knockouts—they shatter dreams.
While Australia has long been India’s biggest hurdle in ICC events, New Zealand has quietly become their ultimate nightmare. Time and again, when the stakes are highest, the Kiwis have delivered heartbreak to Indian fans.
Take the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal, for example. India, chasing a modest total, stumbled early. But hope remained as long as MS Dhoni was at the crease. Then came that agonizing moment—Dhoni’s desperate dive, inches short of safety, sealed India’s fate. It wasn’t just the end of India’s campaign; it was the end of an era.
Two years later, in the 2021 T20 World Cup, India once again fell to New Zealand in a must-win group-stage clash. A sluggish batting performance left them with no answers against the disciplined Kiwi attack. That loss effectively knocked India out of the tournament, adding another chapter to this painful saga.
And who could forget the World Test Championship final in 2021? India, the dominant side throughout the cycle, crumbled when it mattered most. A disciplined New Zealand unit, led by Kane Williamson, secured victory, denying India their much-awaited ICC title.
Yes, India has won their last three ICC encounters against the Kiwis, but knockout matches are where New Zealand thrives. Now, with New Zealand bulldozing South Africa in the semifinals, they once again stand between India and another ICC trophy.
Is this déjà vu or destiny? Can India finally break the curse, or will the Kiwis add yet another heartbreak to their growing list? One thing is certain—New Zealand isn’t just an opponent; they are India’s biggest ICC obstacle when it matters most.
