IND vs NZ: The Indian team is currently on a tour of New Zealand, where after the T20 series, a series of 5 ODI matches is being played. In the first match of the series, Team India defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets and took a 1-0 lead. Now the second match between India and New Zealand is to be played on Saturday, 7 November 2026 at Wellington grounds. Whenever the teams of India and New Zealand face each other in Wellington, a match in history gets refreshed in the memories of old cricket fans, which had left millions of people breathless. Let us tell you that 36 years ago, the Indian team had registered a spectacular victory in ODI by just 1 run on this very ground, which is still counted among the most exciting matches in the history of ODI cricket.
Who was the captain of India in that historic match?
In this historic match played between India and New Zealand in Wellington on 6 March 1990, the command of the Indian team was in the hands of veteran batsman Mohammad Azharuddin. The Indian team went on New Zealand tour under the captaincy of Azharuddin. In this match, India won the toss and decided to bat first. Playing first, India had scored a challenging score of 221 runs in the stipulated 49 overs.
When everyone's breathing stopped on the last 3 balls
The New Zealand team, which came to chase the target of 222 runs, showed an excellent game, after which the match went till the last over and the breath of the spectators sitting in the stadium had stopped. In the last over, New Zealand needed 11 runs to win and their most reliable batsman Sir Richard Hadlee was present at the crease. On behalf of India, captain Azharuddin handed the ball to the great all-rounder Kapil Dev.
Richard Hadlee scored 8 runs on the first 3 balls. Now New Zealand needed only 3 runs on 3 balls to win and the Indian team was on the verge of defeat, but then the Kiwi batsman was run out while trying to steal the second run on the fourth ball. Now the equation changed and 2 runs were needed from the last 2 balls and New Zealand had only one wicket in their hands.
That magical yorker by Kapil Dev and India won by 1 run
On the fifth ball of the over, Kapil Dev bowled such a magical and accurate yorker, for which Richard Hadlee had no answer. The ball went straight to the middle stump and Hadlee was bowled. The entire Kiwi team was limited to 220 runs and under the captaincy of Mohammad Azharuddin, India created history by winning the match by just 1 run. Kapil Dev was chosen 'Player of the Match' for his all-round performance. He first scored 46 runs with the bat and then took 2 wickets with the ball and gave India a historic victory.
Auckland ✅
Hello from Wellington as the focus shifts to the 2nd ODI 👋#TeamIndia | #NZvINDpic.twitter.com/3VkE8rikR8
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2026
Will the same thrill be seen again in Wellington after 36 years?
Now after 36 years, once again Team India is ready to face New Zealand on the same historic ground of Wellington. India is already ahead 1-0 after winning the first match of the series. In this second ODI, captain Shubman Gill will be eyeing a 2-0 lead. The fans are hoping that Team India will once again repeat the feat of 1990 on Wellington soil.
Also read: Explainer: How much stronger have Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad become due to the double trade deal? Know how the equation of both the teams changed