New Zealand created history when they beat India in the final of the World Test Championship in 2021 to become the first WTC winner ever. This was their first major ICC title in the last two decades or so. After losing the finals of the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cups, they finally found success in test cricket.
However, one thing is always true with this team. They had beaten every big teams convincingly when on their day but have also suffered massive defeats on their off days. Thus, we will also discuss here about some of the biggest losses for the WTC 2021 winner in test cricket.
Highest Win Margin in Test vs New Zealand
| Team | Margin | Target | Venue | Date |
| India | 372 runs | 540 | Wankhede | 3 Dec 2021 |
| South Africa | 358 runs | 531 | Johannesburg | 8 Nov 2007 |
| India | 321 runs | 475 | Indore | 8 Oct 2016 |
| Pakistan | 299 runs | 431 | Auckland | 8 Mar 2001 |
| Australia | 297 runs | 456 | Auckland | 22 Mar 1974 |
| Australia | 296 runs | 468 | Perth | 12 Dec 2019 |
| Australia | 279 runs | 416 | Sydney | 3 Jan 2020 |
| India | 272 runs | 374 | Auckland | 7 Mar 1968 |
| England | 267 runs | 394 | Mount Maunganui | 16 Feb 2023 |
| Pakistan | 248 runs | 480 | Abu Dhabi | 9 Nov 2014 |
3. India (321 runs) vs New Zealand in October 2016
The third largest defeat for the Black Caps came in October 2016 at the hands of India. It was the final game of the three-match series in Indore. After winning the toss, India chose to bat first. They made 557/5 in the first inning and declared their inning. Ajinkya Rahane scored 188 runs while skipper Virat Kohli made 211 runs in that inning. In response, New Zealand only managed a total of 299 runs in 90.2 overs.
Ravichandran Ashwin picked up 6/81 for the hosts. With a first-inning lead of 258 runs, India scored another 216/3 in their second inning and declared the inning. Cheteshwar Pujara scored an unbeaten 101 for the hosts. With a target of 475 runs to chase, New Zealand were bowled out for 153 runs in 44.5 overs and Ashwin picked up seven wickets in the second inning as well. Thus, New Zealand lost the game by 321 runs.
2. South Africa (358 runs) vs New Zealand in November 2007
South Africa registered the second biggest losing margin over New Zealand in November 2007 at home. It was the first game of New Zealand touring South Africa in Johannesburg. Batting first, the Proteas made a first-inning score of 226 runs in 74.3 overs. It wasn’t a big total, and the Kiwi bowlers did a great job. But in reply, South Africa restricted New Zealand to a score of 118 runs in 41.3 overs.
Dale Steyn took 5/34. With a small lead of 108 runs, South Africa batted with an excellent authority in the second inning. Hashim Amla (176*) and Jacques Kallis (186) led the way for the hosts. South Africa declared their second inning at 422/3 in 126 overs to set a target of 531 runs. Chasing the score, the Kiwis got dismissed for just 172 runs in 51 overs and lost by 358 runs.
1. India (372 runs) vs New Zealand in December 2021
New Zealand’s biggest test defeat came most recently in India at the Wankhede Stadium. It occured in the second test of three-match series in Mumbai. India won the toss and decided to bat first. They had a decent start with Mayank Agarwal, who scored 150 runs. India made 325 runs in 109.5 overs and Ajaz Patel picked up 10/119 in that inning. In reply, New Zealand registered their lowest test total against India.
They got all out for just 62 runs in 28.1 overs. India got a big lead of 263 runs. The hosts batted again and added 276/7 in their total and declared the second inning. New Zealand had a target of 540 runs to chase in the second inning. But they only reached 167 runs in 56.3 overs and lost the game by 372 runs.