New Delhi: The Indian team is going to start the five-match ODI series against New Zealand from Wednesday. The first match will be played at Eden Park in Auckland, but Team India's record on this ground is a matter of concern. Here India has often had the upper hand against New Zealand. India has so far played a total of 11 ODI matches at Eden Park, out of which it has won only 4, lost 6 and one match has been tied. This record is even worse against New Zealand.
First match played in 1976
India played its first ODI on this ground on 22 February 1976. Under the captaincy of Sunil Gavaskar, the Indian team had to face defeat by 80 runs. Since then the team has played 10 more ODIs here, including a 6-wicket win against Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup. The last time India and New Zealand clashed on the same ground was in November 2022, where Team India suffered a crushing defeat by 7 wickets.
Latham had snatched victory in the last encounter
In that match played on 25 November 2022, India, batting first, scored 306 runs in 50 overs. Shikhar Dhawan, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer scored fifties to take the team to a strong score. Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson took 3-3 wickets for New Zealand. Chasing the target, the Kiwi team won the match by scoring 309 runs in 47.1 overs. Tom Latham played a stormy innings of 145 not out and Kane Williamson supported him well. Umran Malik took 2 wickets for India, but he could not avoid defeat.
Now once again on Wednesday, Team India will enter the same ground, where it will not only be looking for victory but will also have the challenge of improving its poor record on this ground.