New Zealand’s rain-hit defeat to India in Wellington on Saturday carried a painful footnote for the hosts: it was their 11th loss to India in 2026, the most they have ever suffered against a single opponent in a calendar year.
The previous worst was ten defeats against Australia in 2005, followed by nine against England in 2008. CricTracker’s tally also makes it the most defeats any team has suffered against one opponent in a calendar year. And with three ODIs and two Tests still to come on this tour, the figure — marked 11 with an asterisk — could climb further.
The count has built steadily all year. India won the January T20I series 4-1, beat New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final, and took the first three T20Is of the current tour before the hosts hit back in Auckland and Hamilton. Wednesday’s opening ODI in Auckland added another defeat, and Wellington made it 11.
Saturday’s match itself followed a now-familiar pattern. Put in by Shubman Gill, New Zealand folded for 134 in 41 overs — their lowest ODI total against India on home soil — with Gurnoor Brar taking a career-best four for 30. India’s chase was anything but routine, and at 113 for seven after 26 overs the rain returned for good. India were four runs ahead of the DLS par score of 109 when the match was called off, sealing a 2-0 series lead.
It was also New Zealand’s first back-to-back home ODI defeats since January 2019 — also against India. Captain Mitchell Santner pointed to the conditions after the match, saying the toss had played a part and batting first in bowler-friendly conditions had proved tricky for both teams. Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, who kept the contest alive with three for 35, said there was no frustration over the totals and praised KL Rahul, unbeaten on 26, as hard to dislodge.
The concern for New Zealand runs deeper than one rain-affected afternoon. They have now been bowled out for 185 and 134 in the first two ODIs of the series, and their batting has repeatedly failed to give their bowlers a total to defend. India, by contrast, have found a way to win both games from difficult positions.
The series moves to Hamilton on Tuesday for the third ODI, with New Zealand needing to win all three remaining matches to avoid a series defeat at home. On the evidence of 2026 so far, that is a tall order — India have beaten them 11 times this year already, and the Black Caps are running out of answers.
Related: India Edge New Zealand by Four Runs on DLS After Rain Ends Wellington ODI
Related: Kohli One Run From Ponting’s Record as India Eye 2-0 Lead in Rain-Threatened Wellington ODI
