New Zealand Set Unwanted Record with 11th Defeat to India in a Calendar Year

Saturday's four-run defeat in Wellington added a painful statistical footnote to New Zealand's year, becoming their 11th loss to India across all formats in 2026 — the most defeats any team has ever suffered against a single opponent in one calendar year.

The match itself was a low-scoring scrap, producing only 247 runs across both innings as 15 wickets fell on a difficult, rain-affected surface. New Zealand were dismissed for 134 before India edged home on the DLS method at 113 for seven.

The hosts now face a mountain to climb. With India 2-0 up in the five-match series, New Zealand must win all three remaining ODIs simply to avoid a series defeat on home soil.

A year to forget against India

The record underlines how one-sided the rivalry has become in 2026, with India winning across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. For a proud New Zealand side, the numbers make uncomfortable reading as the tour moves to Hamilton.

No margin left

There is no room for another slip. New Zealand need three straight wins, starting in Hamilton on Tuesday, and their batting — which managed only 134 in Wellington — must find answers against an Indian pace attack in ominous form.

Source: CricTracker