Top 5 New Zealand Bowlers With The Most Wickets Against India In International Cricket 

After suffering a 3-0 defeat in the recently concluded T20 series against India, New Zealand would look to bounce back in the Test series. The first of the series is currently underway in Kanpur.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, India batted well on the first day, thanks to brilliant knocks from Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja. However, a sensational spell from Tim Southee helped New Zealand bounce back on the second day’s play.

He took a five-for and helped the team bundled out India for 345 runs. Well, it’s not the first time when Tim Southee has performed well against India. He has produced numerous match-winning spells against India in International cricket.

Fast bowling has been New Zealand’s strength. Over the years, we have seen several fast bowlers performing well against India. And on that note, let’s take a look at the top best performing New Zealand bowlers against India in International Cricket.

Top 5 New Zealand Bowlers With The Most Wickets Against India In International Cricket

1. Tim Southee

Among all the New Zealand bowlers in the history of New Zealand Cricket, Tim Southee has troubled India the most in international cricket. He captained the New Zealand team in the recently concluded three-match T20 series against India.

Tim Southee was the joint highest wicket-taker in the series, picking 4 wickets in 2 matches at an average of 14. With his ability to swing both ways, Tim Southee has always been amongst the wickets whenever New Zealand plays against India.

Overall, Tim Southee has managed to pick 94 wickets against India in International Cricket, which is the most by any New Zealand bowler.

2. Richard Hadlee: 92 wickets 

Former New Zealand cricketer, Richard Hadlee was regarded as one of the best all-rounders in the history of the game. Hadlee was known for his fast bowling exploits as he used to singlehandedly turn the fortunes of the team with his impressive spells.

He had a brilliant record against India in Test Cricket. He played 14 Tests against India between 1973 and 1990 and picked 65 wickets, which includes 4 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten wicket-hauls.

Currently, Richard Hadlee has the second most number of wickets by a New Zealand bowler against India in International Cricket. He has picked 92 wickets against India in International Cricket. The legendary cricketer finished his career with 431 wickets in 86 Tests and 158 wickets in 115 ODIs.

3. Trent Boult: 77 wickets 

There aren’t a lot of instances when Trent Boult has played against India and not picked wickets. He just loves playing against India. A left-arm seamer with his ability to move the ball both ways, Boult has been troubling India for years now.

He has been as successful in Tests against India as in the ODIs and T20Is. Overall, he has picked the third most number of wickets by a New Zealand bowler against India. The left-seamer has managed to pick 77 wickets against India in International Cricket.

4. Daniel Vettori: 73 wickets 

The fact that Daniel Vettori is the only spinner present in the list tells you how good the bowler he was in International Cricket. Daniel Vettori is arguably New Zealand’s greatest spinner in the history of the game. The left-arm spinner had a successful career against all the oppositions and India wasn’t an exception.

Vettori produced numerous telling spells against India in International Cricket. He picked 73 wickets against India in International Cricket, which is the fourth most number of wickets by a New Zealand bowler against India in International Cricket.

In his illustrious career, he picked 362 wickets in 113 Tests and 305 wickets in 295 ODIs.

5. Danny Morrison: 46 wickets

For those of you who don’t know, Danny Morrison is the only New Zealand fast bowler who has picked a hat-trick against India in one-day internationals. He was part of New Zealand’s team in 1987, 1992 and 1996 editions of the ICC World Cup. Hailed as a dangerous out-swinger, Danny Morrison was an integral part of the New Zealand team in the early 80s and 90s.

Danny Morrison has a pretty good record against India in international Cricket. With 46 wickets to his name, he is currently the fifth-highest wicket-taker by any New Zealand cricketer against India in International Cricket.

Morrison finished his international cricket career with 160 wickets in 48 Tests and 126 wickets in 96 ODIs.