Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline & Rivalry History (All Formats)

Introduction – Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline

The cricketing rivalry between the Zimbabwe national cricket team and the India national cricket team spans over four decades, dating back to the early 1980s. Although both teams have faced each other relatively infrequently compared to other rivalries, each encounter has its own historical significance.

Zimbabwe gained Test status in 1992, but matches between these sides have produced captivating moments across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. While India has dominated most head‑to‑head records, Zimbabwe’s spirited performances, especially in limited overs formats, have led to memorable upsets.

Head‑to‑Head Summary

Format	Matches Played	India Wins	Zimbabwe Wins	Draw/Tie/No Result
Tests	11	7	2	2 Drawn
ODIs	66	54	10	2 Tied
T20Is	13	10	3	0

This data shows a clear Indian dominance, particularly in limited overs matches, though Zimbabwe has occasionally triumphed and created historic moments.

TEST MATCHES TIMELINE

The first Test between India and Zimbabwe occurred in October 1992, shortly after Zimbabwe was awarded Test status. Over 13 years (1992–2005), both teams contested 11 Tests, with India winning the majority.

No.	Date	Venue	Result	Margin & Notes
1	Oct 18‑22, 1992	Harare Sports Club, Harare	Match Drawn	Zimbabwe’s debut Test.
2	Mar 13‑17, 1993	Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi	India Won	Victory by innings & 13 runs.
3	Oct 7‑10, 1998	Harare Sports Club, Harare	Zimbabwe Won	Zimbabwe’s first Test win over India by 61 runs.
4	Nov 18‑22, 2000	Delhi	India Won	India won by 7 wickets.
5	Nov 25‑29, 2000	Nagpur	Match Drawn	Zimbabwe fought hard to draw.
6	Jun 7‑10, 2001	Bulawayo	India Won	Victory by 8 wickets.
7	Jun 15‑18, 2001	Harare	Zimbabwe Won	Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets.
8	Feb 21‑25, 2002	Nagpur	India Won	Victory by innings & 101 runs.
9	Feb 28‑Mar 4, 2002	Delhi	India Won	India won by 4 wickets.
10	Sep 13‑16, 2005	Bulawayo	India Won	Victory by innings & 90 runs.
11	Sep 20‑22, 2005	Harare	India Won	India won by 10 wickets.

Key Test Match Moments

Zimbabwe’s first Test win (1998) is a historic upset.
Indian batsmen and spinners dominated most tours in the 2000s.
Tests have been rare since 2005 due to scheduling and focus on limited overs formats.

ONE DAY INTERNATIONAL (ODI) TIMELINE

ODIs between India and Zimbabwe have been frequent, including bilateral tours and ICC events. The first ODI encounter was in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, a historic tournament for India.

ODI Match Timeline Table

Date	Venue	Series / Match	Result & Margin	Key Highlights
Jun 11, 1983	Leicester, England	1983 Cricket World Cup	India Won	Kapil Dev scored 175 in a historic innings.
Mar 14, 1993	India	Bilateral ODI	India Won	Part of Zimbabwe’s India tour.
Sep 26, 1998	Zimbabwe	Hero Honda Series	India Won / Zimbabwe Won	Zimbabwe won one match at home.
Nov‑Dec 2000	India	Bilateral Series	India Won 4‑1	Dominant Indian performance.
Jun 2001	Zimbabwe	Coca‑Cola Cup	India participated in triangular series	Competitive matches.
Jul 10‑19, 2015	Harare	India in Zimbabwe	India Won 3‑0	India dominated the series.
Jun 11‑22, 2016	Harare	India in Zimbabwe	India Won 3‑0	Strong batting and bowling.
Aug 18, 2022	Harare	India in Zimbabwe	India Won by 10 wickets	KL Rahul & Shubman Gill starred.
Aug 20, 2022	Harare	India in Zimbabwe	India Won by 5 wickets	Part of 2022 tour.
Aug 22, 2022	Harare	India in Zimbabwe	India Won by 13 runs	Shubman Gill Player of the Series.

ODI Match Facts & Records

India vs Zimbabwe ODIs: 66 matches, India won 54, Zimbabwe 10, and 2 tied.
Zimbabwe’s wins mostly occurred at home or in ICC group matches.

T20 INTERNATIONAL (T20I) TIMELINE

T20Is between India and Zimbabwe started in 2010, as the format became prominent. India has generally dominated, but Zimbabwe has had notable victories.

Date	Venue	Series / Match	Result & Margin	Notable Performances
Jun 12, 2010	Harare	India in Zimbabwe	India Won 2‑0	India swept early T20Is.
Jul 10‑14, 2015	Harare	India in Zimbabwe	Series Drawn 1‑1	Zimbabwe won second T20I, first T20I win over India.
Jun 2016	Harare	India in Zimbabwe	India Won 2‑1	Competitive series.
Jul 6, 2024	Harare	1st T20I	Zimbabwe Won by 13 runs	Sikandar Raza starred.
Jul 7, 2024	Harare	2nd T20I	India Won by 100 runs	Dominant batting display.
Jul 10, 2024	Harare	3rd T20I	India Won by 23 runs	Balanced team performance.
Jul 13, 2024	Harare	4th T20I	India Won by 10 wickets	Strong opening stand.
Jul 14, 2024	Harare	5th T20I	India Won by 42 runs	India clinched series 4‑1.

T20I Records & Context

India and Zimbabwe have played 13 T20Is.
India won 10, Zimbabwe 3.
Zimbabwe’s T20I wins are celebrated given India’s strength in the format.

Iconic Moments in the Rivalry

Kapil Dev’s 175 in 1983 World Cup: A legendary innings that changed Indian cricket history.
Zimbabwe’s First Test Win (1998): A historic 61-run victory showcasing Zimbabwean talent.
Zimbabwe’s T20I Wins: In 2015 and 2024, Zimbabwe’s victories were major highlights, proving underdogs can compete at the highest level.

Evolution of the Rivalry

1980s–1990s: Early World Cups and tours. Zimbabwe occasionally created upsets.
2000s: India established dominance in Tests and ODIs.
2010s: T20I format emerged; Zimbabwe recorded first T20I win in 2015.
2020s: India remained dominant, but Zimbabwe delivered spirited performances at home.

Conclusion

While not the most frequent rivalry, matches between India and Zimbabwe showcase the growth of Zimbabwean cricket, the strength of India, and the unpredictable beauty of international cricket. From iconic World Cup innings to historic Test victories and thrilling T20I encounters, every match adds a chapter to cricket’s rich history.