India vs New Zealand (Agency Image)

The India vs New Zealand ODI rivalry is set to return once again as the two sides meet in a three match series starting Sunday, January 11 in Vadodara. The second ODI will be played on January 14 in Rajkot, with the series concluding on January 18 in Indore. Played in Indian conditions, the series brings back a rivalry shaped by fine margins, memorable performances and changing momentum across generations.India and New Zealand first faced each other in ODI cricket in 1975 and have since met 120 times in the format. India hold a slender advantage with 62 wins, while New Zealand have claimed victory in 50 matches. Seven games ended with no result, a reminder of how competitive this rivalry has been over the years.

Top 5 run scorers in India vs New Zealand ODIs

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar remains the most prolific batter in this rivalry. Across 42 ODIs, he scored 1,750 runs at an average of 46.05, with five centuries against New Zealand’s bowling. Virat Kohli follows closely and boasts one of his strongest bilateral records against New Zealand, averaging above 55 with six centuries. For New Zealand, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson have been pillars of consistency, while Nathan Astle was a major force during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Sachin Tendulkar (X-cricbuzz)

Top 5 wicket takers in India vs New Zealand ODIs

Javagal Srinath tops the wicket charts in this rivalry with 51 scalps, using pace and movement to trouble New Zealand batters across conditions. Anil Kumble sits second on the list with 39 wickets, while Mohammed Shami’s impact in recent years has stood out for its intensity and strike rate, highlighted by his memorable seven wicket haul in the 2023 World Cup semi final. For New Zealand, Tim Southee has been their most successful bowler against India in ODIs

Javagal Srinath (X-Cricbuzz)

The rivalry has produced dramatic extremes over the years. India’s highest ODI total against New Zealand came in the 2023 World Cup semi final in Mumbai, when they piled up 397 for 4. New Zealand’s highest score against India dates back to 1999, when they posted 349 for 9 in Rajkot.At the other end of the spectrum, New Zealand were bowled out for just 79 in Visakhapatnam in 2016, a match that also marked India’s biggest victory in the rivalry, a dominant 190 run win. India’s lowest total against New Zealand came when they were bundled out for 88, while New Zealand’s biggest victory over India arrived in 2010 with a crushing 200 run win in Dambulla.The rivalry has also delivered nail biting finishes, none more memorable than India’s narrow one run victory in Wellington in 1990, a match that remains etched in the history of contests between the two sides.Bilateral history adds further layers. India first toured New Zealand in February 1976 and lost a two match ODI series 2-0. A similar result followed in 1981. The balance shifted in 1989 when New Zealand toured India for a five match ODI series that India won 4-0.In recent years, New Zealand have enjoyed success at home, winning 3-0 in 2020 and clinching a rain affected series 1-0 in 2022. India responded emphatically in 2023 with a dominant 3-0 home series win.

Squads

India’s ODI squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi JaiswalNew Zealand ODI squad: Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young

NEW DELHI: Former Lok Sabha member and actor Divya Spandana, also known as Ramya, took to Instagram in response to a Supreme Court observation on street dogs and public safety. In her story, Spandana said, “Can’t read a man’s mind too, don’t know when he will rape, so all men should be put in jail?”

The Supreme Court on Wednesday flagged non-compliance by civic bodies over stray animals, noting the dangers they pose on roads.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N V Anjaria said, “The roads should be clear of dogs and stray animals. It is not only the dog bites but also the roaming of stray animals on roads that are proving dangerous and causing accidents. No one knows which dog is in what mood in the morning. Civic bodies have to implement the rules, modules and directions strictly.” Justice Mehta highlighted recent incidents involving judges in Rajasthan, noting that one is still suffering from spinal injuries. “It’s a serious issue,” he said. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing petitioners seeking modification of the court’s November 7 order, proposed adopting a scientific approach known as CSVR (Capture, Sterilise, Vaccinate, Release) to manage stray dog populations. He said: “Prevention is always better than cure.” Justice Nath emphasised that the court’s directive was focused on clearing institutional areas of stray dogs without interfering with existing rules. The bench warned that non-compliant states would face strict action. Senior advocate Gaurav Agarwal, appointed amicus curiae, said the National Highways Authority of India had identified 1,400 km of vulnerable road stretches but added, “the state governments have to take care of it.” The court also suggested fencing roads and expressways to prevent stray animals from entering. Agarwal noted that some states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Punjab, had yet to file compliance affidavits, while others submitted “very disappointing” responses. Sibal stressed the importance of a humane response, saying: “First of all, this is not an adversarial issue and we are here as dog lovers. If one tiger is a man-eater, we don’t kill all tigers. We must make sure that sterilisation takes place and the population must come down. There is a process for that.” The bench, in a lighter moment, remarked, “The only thing missing is providing counselling to the dogs as well so that he doesn’t bite when released back.” Other senior advocates, including Colin Gonsalves, Anand Grover, and K K Venugopal, highlighted challenges such as inadequate shelter capacity and the risk of rabies transmission in shelters. Arguments in the case remained inconclusive and are set to continue. The Supreme Court had earlier directed that stray dogs be relocated to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination and that they should not be released back to the areas from which they were removed. Authorities were also instructed to remove all cattle and other stray animals from highways and expressways.

Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for December after playing a key role during the Ashes series. West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves and New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy are also among the nominees for the prestigious award.

On Thursday, the ICC announced the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for December. The month saw heavy cricket action across formats, with India and South Africa playing white-ball series, New Zealand hosting Tests against the West Indies, and Australia taking on England in the Ashes.

Mitchell Starc Instrumental in Australia’s Ashes Series Victory Over England

Mitchell Starc played a key role for Australia during the Ashes series in December. The left-arm fast bowler made important contributions with both the ball and the bat across three Tests.

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Starc took 16 wickets and scored 139 runs in the series. In the second Test, he picked up eight wickets and scored 77 runs, earning the Player of the Match award. His 6/75 in the first innings helped Australia take control early.

In the third Test at Adelaide, Starc again delivered when it mattered. He scored 54 runs and took four wickets, helping Australia seal the Ashes series. His ability to take early wickets and add valuable runs down the order played a big part in Australia retaining the Ashes.

Jacob Duffy Broke Richard Hadlee’s Record After Sensational Test Series

Jacob Duffy had an excellent home Test series against the West Indies National Cricket Team. The fast bowler led New Zealand’s attack and troubled opposition batters with his swing and accuracy.

Duffy picked up 23 wickets in three Tests at an average of 15.43, helping the New Zealand National Cricket Team secure a 2-0 series win. His performances were consistent across the series, and he played a major role in both victories.

Duffy was named Player of the Series after New Zealand’s success. He also ended the year on a high. In 2025, he finished as New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker across all formats with 81 wickets, breaking the long-standing record of 79 wickets set by Richard Hadlee in 1985.

Justin Greaves’ Heroic 202 Saved West Indies in New Zealand Test

Justin Greaves had an outstanding month for the West Indies National Cricket Team during their Test tour of New Zealand. The all-rounder made a big impact with the bat and also chipped in with the ball.

Greaves scored 283 runs in three Tests at an average of 56.60. His best performance came in the first Test at Christchurch, where he played a crucial 202 not out in the fourth innings to save the match for his team.

Chasing a tough target of 530, the West Indies were under heavy pressure. They reached 457 for six when the match ended, with Greaves holding one end and guiding the team to a draw through patience and smart shot selection.

Also read: Michael Vaughan blasts Harry Brook’s ‘spoilt child’ behaviour after nightclub scandal

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Mumbai: The BJP on Thursday suspended 26 office bearers, including former corporators, and those who are fighting the BMC polls as rebel candidates for 6 years. Mumbai BJP chief, MLA Ameet Satam, in his suspension order, said they have been suspended for not cooperating with Mahayuti candidates in the BMC elections 2026 despite repeated requests from the party. Among those suspended are Divya Dhole from Ward 60, Versova; Nehal Amar Shah from Ward 177, Matunga; Janhvi Rane from Ward 205, Abhyudaya Nagar; and Asawari Patil from Ward 2, Borivli; among others. Several other office bearers have been suspended for allegedly working against the party.

A senior BJP functionary said Nehal Shah, for instance, not only filed her nomination against the official BJP candidate, but also tried to defame the candidate and damage the prospects of the party. “The party gave tickets to the candidates based on surveys and internal assessment. Winnability was the main criteria. There was high anti-incumbency and complaints about lack of citizen connect. Local officer bearers had also complained. So, the party made a decision to drop her and give the ticket to Kalpesha Jesal Kothari, who is a good local face. This was the case with many of the candidates who were dropped. Many of them did not rebel or withdrew their nomination, but some went ahead despite the party’s request,” the functionary said.Senior BJP functionaries, though, said the party took too much time to suspend the rebels. “Some of those suspended are rebel candidates in the BMC polls. Most others are working against the party ideology and party line. Despite several requests and instructions, they continued anti-Mahayuti activities. So they have been suspended as part of disciplinary action,” Satam said.Last week, the BJP had managed to get some of its rebels to pull out. Among those were BJP party worker Sunita Yadav who filed her nomination form as an independent from Ward 1 against BJP’s official candidate Rekha Yadav. In Ward 221, former BJP corporator Janak Sanghavi also withdrew his nomination, leaving Aakash Purohit as the BJP’s official candidate.