IND vs NZ last ICC clash: What happened in Champions Trophy final ahead of T20 World Cup blockbuster

Defending champions India will face New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday, aiming to become the first team to win the T20 World Cup for a third time, with a nation of 1.4 billion expecting nothing less than victory.

Also Read-India vs New Zealand Live Score Updates

Standing in their way is a determined New Zealand side that has already defied expectations, storming into the final with a commanding nine-wicket win over the previously unbeaten South Africa.


For years, New Zealand have been the team that repeatedly halted India’s global ambitions, most notably in the 2019 World Cup semi-final and the 2021 World Test Championship final.

Read more: India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup final: Here's pitch and weather report as IND, NZ battle for glory in Ahmedabad

However, the last time India and New Zealand faced each other in a major ICC final was during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on March 9, 2025. That night in Dubai proved historic, as India finally ended a decade-long run of heartbreak against the Kiwis and brought the long-standing “Kiwi curse” to an end.

India vs New Zealand Champions Trophy Match Result

The match turned into a gripping tactical battle on a slow surface at the Dubai International Stadium. India, led by Rohit Sharma, entered the contest as favourites but carried the weight of previous knockout defeats against New Zealand. After winning a crucial toss, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner opted to bat first, backing his side to put runs on the board in a high-pressure final.

The Kiwis stuck to their trademark disciplined approach. Rather than attacking recklessly, they focused on steady accumulation. Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with a composed 63 off 101 balls, ensuring stability in the middle overs. Whenever India’s spinners looked like tightening the screws, New Zealand responded with timely partnerships. A late flourish from Michael Bracewell, who remained unbeaten on 53, pushed the total to a competitive 251 for 7.

Chasing 252 for the title, India needed a confident start to silence memories of past heartbreaks. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided exactly that, stitching together a brilliant 105-run opening stand. Rohit led the charge with a quick-fire half-century before being outfoxed by an arm-ball from Santner.

However, the chase took a dramatic turn as India’s middle order faltered, slipping from a comfortable 105 for no loss to 206 for 5. Amid the tension, KL Rahul held his nerve and produced one of the most composed knocks of his career. Remaining unbeaten on 34, he guided India across the line and secured the country’s third Champions Trophy title.

Before this triumph in 2025, the last ICC final between the two sides had come in the 2021 World Test Championship final in Southampton, where New Zealand had emerged victorious. The 2025 victory was widely seen as a redemption moment for this Indian generation, proving they could overcome the pressure of a final against one of their most disciplined opponents.

Head-to-Head in ICC Events



1. T20 World Cup 2007: New Zealand won by 10 runs in Johannesburg

In the inaugural edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Daniel Vettori highlighted the importance of left-arm orthodox spin in the shortest format with a brilliant all-round performance. The New Zealand captain picked up 4 for 20 and also smashed a quick 15 off just five balls to guide his side to a 10-run victory over India.

Defending a challenging target of 191, New Zealand looked under pressure when India reached 76 for 1. Vettori’s introduction into the attack changed the course of the game. He dismissed Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir, who had been scoring freely and had already made a brisk 51 off 33 balls.

Spin continued to dominate the contest as Jeetan Patel removed Yuvraj Singh, while a crucial run-out ended MS Dhoni’s innings on 24. Vettori later returned to pick up the wickets of Irfan Pathan and Dinesh Karthik, effectively sealing the match for New Zealand.

Earlier, Brendon McCullum provided the platform with a rapid 45, before late contributions from Craig McMillan and Jacob Oram helped New Zealand reach a total that eventually proved too much for India.

2. T20 World Cup 2016: New Zealand beat India by 47 runs in Nagpur



When the two teams met again in the 2016 T20 World Cup, spin-friendly conditions in Nagpur set the stage for a dramatic contest. New Zealand successfully defended a modest total of 126 by bowling India out for just 79, with their spin trio accounting for nine of the ten wickets.

Corey Anderson anchored the New Zealand innings with a steady 34 off 42 balls. Late in the innings, Luke Ronchi added crucial runs with an unbeaten 21 from 11 deliveries after coming in at number eight.

India struggled against New Zealand’s spinners throughout the chase. Only Virat Kohli (23) and MS Dhoni (30) managed to offer some resistance. When Ish Sodhi dismissed Kohli with the score at 39 for 5, India’s hopes of a successful chase had already taken a serious blow.

Even Dhoni, known for his finishing abilities, could not turn the game around. He was dismissed in the 18th over as the ninth wicket to fall, before Adam Milne wrapped up the innings by removing Ashish Nehra soon after.

New Zealand’s spinners dominated the match. Nathan McCullum finished with 2 for 15, Sodhi took 3 for 18, and Mitchell Santner produced a match-winning spell of 4 for 11 along with a useful 18 with the bat. Milne claimed the only wicket taken by a pacer.

3. T20 World Cup 2021: New Zealand beat India by 8 wickets in Dubai



The pattern continued when India and New Zealand faced each other in the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai. India were restricted to 110 for 7 by a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack, a total that was always going to be difficult to defend.

Trent Boult struck early in the Powerplay and later returned to claim two more wickets in the 19th over. In between, the pressure was maintained by Ish Sodhi (2 for 17), Tim Southee (1 for 26) and Adam Milne (1 for 30).

Although he did not take a wicket, Mitchell Santner delivered a highly economical spell of 0 for 15, including 11 dot balls, which further restricted India’s scoring opportunities.

Chasing a modest target, New Zealand started confidently with Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell taking control early. Mitchell’s powerful six straight down the ground off Ravindra Jadeja drained the momentum from India’s attack.

Mitchell eventually fell for a composed 49 off 35 balls with New Zealand needing only 15 runs and eight wickets in hand. Captain Kane Williamson soon finished the job with a flick through the leg side, sealing a comfortable win for the Black Caps.

India vs New Zealand head-to-head in T20 World Cups



Played: 3

New Zealand: 3

India: 0

With defending champions India now aiming to make history by becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times, the upcoming clash promises to be a thrilling contest. New Zealand, meanwhile, will look to maintain their unbeaten record against India in the tournament while chasing their maiden T20 World Cup title.