IND vs NZ: Top 5 wicket-takers in India vs New Zealand ODIs

Tim Southee (L) and Mohammed Shami (R) in IND vs NZ ODIs. Image Credits: X

India and New Zealand are all set to take on each other in the three-match ODI series. Both teams will face off in the ODIs after 10 months since their face-off in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, which India won by four wickets to lift the title. 

Both teams are likely to treat this series as one of their experiments for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa. 

Apart from this, the history of ODIs between India and New Zealand is quite rich, including the marquee international tournaments, alongside some memorable bilateral face-offs. It also includes some sensational performances over the years in this tough rivalry. 

Therefore, here’s a look at the top five leading wicket-takers in the history of India vs New Zealand ODIs since it all started in the first-ever ODI World Cup in 1975.  

Top wicket-takers in India vs New Zealand ODIs

Kapil Dev

The former World Cup-winning India skipper and legendary all-rounder, Kapil Dev, is one of the few players who were there in the beginning of the IND vs NZ ODI rivalry in the late 70s and 80s. He played his first ODI vs New Zealand, during the Benson and Hedges World Series Cup in 1980 and 1981. 

Kapil Dev played his last ODI vs New Zealand in 1994 in the final game of the three-match series in New Zealand, which India lost by four wickets. Even after 31 years since his last appearance in an ODI game between India and New Zealand, Kapil Dev is still the fifth leading wicket-taker in this rivalry. He has scalped 33 wickets in 29 innings, with an economy rate of 3.44. 

Tim Southee

Former New Zealand bowling great Tim Southee has also been one of the top performers with the ball in the India vs New Zealand ODIs. The first semi-final of the ODI World Cup 2023 against India was his last ODI appearance, both overall and against India. 

However, he had already registered his name among a few bowling greats in the 120-match-long ODI rivalry between India and New Zealand. 

He claimed 38 wickets in 25 innings, with an economy rate of 6.33, including two four-wicket hauls and the figures of 4/49. Southee is still at the fourth spot in the list of the leading wicket-takers in the IND vs NZ ODIs rivalry. 

Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami, undoubtedly one of the best pacers ever to play for India in ODIs, hasn’t played a game since his last appearance during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against New Zealand. Speaking of his legacy in the IND vs NZ ODIs, Shami is the most successful bowler among the currently active bowlers of both teams. 

He is in the third place in the leading wicket-takers in this 51-year-long ODI rivalry between India and New Zealand. Shami has picked 38 wickets in just 16 innings, with an economy rate of 6.13, including a four-wicket haul and two five-wicket hauls. It also includes his seven-wicket haul against the Blackcaps in the first semi-final.

Anil Kumble

India’s former spin legend Anil Kumble was one of the impressive performers with the ball in the India vs New Zealand ODIs. During his entire career, Kumble was one of the go-to players for any captain whenever India were struggling in the game. He also shone with the ball in the ODIs against New Zealand. 

He bagged 39 wickets in 30 innings, with an economy rate of 4.11, including a five-wicket haul. 22 years after his last ODI appearance against New Zealand, Kumble stands firm at the second spot among the leading wicket-takers in IND vs NZ ODIs. 

Javagal Srinath

One of India’s former pace-bowling legends, Javagal Srinath, showcased his bowling prowess against every opponent in the white-ball format. His first ODI appearance against New Zealand was in the 27th game of the ODI World Cup 1992. In that game, he went wicketless. 

But things didn’t remain this way, as he continued to play for India in ODIs until the ODI World Cup 2003, and he ended up as one of the all-time pace-bowling legends. 

Besides this, Srinath also left an everlasting impact on the IND vs NZ ODIs, picking 51 wickets in 30 innings at an economy of just 3.93, including four-wicket hauls. Javagal Srinath remains the all-time leading wicket-taker in India vs New Zealand ODIs.