IND vs NZ: Top 5 run-getters from India-New Zealand Tests

In modern-day cricket, the rivalry between India and New Zealand is one of the nicest ones and fans enjoy it as the tough teams give their everything on the field. Despite the stature and mass of Indian cricket, New Zealand is one nation that have always given them a run for their money and this dates back to the 1950s. As the two teams meet for a two-match Test series in India, we look back at the players who have been quite outstanding with the bat in this rivalry.

5. Bert Sutcliffe

Bert Sutcliffe is recognised as one of the first few great international cricketers to come out of the island of New Zealand. He played 42 Tests between 1947 and 1965 and batted with an average of 40. But, his best record was against India, scoring 885 runs at an average of 68, along with three centuries and three fifties. His unbeaten 230 in Delhi in 1955 was one of the more memorable knocks played by an overseas player during the early days of international cricket.

4. Graham Dowling

Dowling played for the Kiwis back in the 60s and early 70s. He played 39 Tests only and had a modest average of 31, but he brought his best game against India. In the 11 Tests which he played against India, he scored 964 runs, which included three centuries, the only ones he ever scored in Test cricket. He scored a double ton also, 239 in Christchurch in 1968, which was also his highest first-class score.

3. Brendon McCullum

For a generation of India fans, McCullum evokes emotions of deep sorrow which was inflicted by the former captain when he smashed 302 against India in 2014. A lot of fans don’t remember before that mammoth knock he had scored another double century in the match before. In fact, he even scored a double ton in India. In 10 matches, he scored 1224 at an average of 68.00 with four centuries and two fifties.

2. Sachin Tendulkar

There is no team who have been spared from the master’s fine blade. New Zealand were also on the other side of some of Tendulkar’s finest knocks. Interestingly, Tendulkar’s first-ever double century in international cricket came against New Zealand, a knock of 217 in Ahmedabad in 1999. Apart from that, his century which helped India beat the Kiwis in Hamilton in 2009 is remembered by many. In all, he scored 1595 runs at 46.91, including four centuries and eight fifties.

1. Rahul Dravid

Quite interestingly, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian team is the highest run-getter in all contests between these two sides. Virat Kohli and his men might not mind having their coach in the middle but it seems he would only be available for telling them how to get better off the Kiwis. In 15 Tests against New Zealand, Dravid scored 1659 runs at an average of 63.80, which includes six hundreds and six fifties, including a double century, a knock of 222 in Ahmedabad. His runs came in both India and New Zealand.