The rivalry between the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team and the India National Cricket Team is no match for the battles with Pakistan or Australia. However, it has provided cricket fans with memorable, historic moments. From Kapil Dev’s 175 in the 1983 World Cup to Zimbabwe’s astounding victories in ODIs, this rivalry has given cricket fans a lot to enjoy.
Zimbabwe and India have faced each other in three formats – Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Although India has dominated everything, Zimbabwe has helped produce young Indian cricketers by providing international experience, while also being a batting arena for new debuts.
This article will take you through the complete Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline of matches all-time.
Let’s get started!
Although the history of cricketing rivalry between Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline is not as competitive as some of India’s other encounters, it has provided some of the greatest memories in the cricketing world over a long period. India and Zimbabwe met for the first time in 1983. Since then, the two teams have met on multiple occasions and formats and with two contrasting styles – India’s batting depth vs Zimbabwe’s committed all-rounders.
Zimbabwe was on the up as a cricketing power in the 1990s, and under normal circumstances, they would contest with disciplined bowling and committed lower-order batting. From ODIs where India was victoriously being the underdog, to test series in which Zimbabwe dominated. The rivalry shows cricket is what it is today, with one of the most starved and richest cricket spirits against a historic, loving power.
The Zimbabwe national cricket team vs India national cricket team timeline began when both teams met each other in a World Cup game in 1983. The first match was played in the group stage, and Zimbabwe lost it. However, the famous match is the second one in the World Cup.
The match was played on June 18, 1983, at Tunbridge Wells. The Indian side won that match by 31 runs, an impressive feat by a relatively unknown Indian team.
Highlight: The highlight of the match was the legendary innings of 175 not out off just 138 balls from Kapil Dev. He rescued India from 17/5. It is one of the greatest ODI innings of all time.
This match instilled the Indian team with the confidence to win the ODI World Cup in England against the mighty teams of England and the West Indies.
One-Day Internationals (ODIs) have been the most common format between these two teams. The rivalry between the India national cricket team vs Zimbabwe national cricket team timeline has been a good one.
Zimbabwe and India met for the first time in the ODI World Cup in 1983. India managed to win that low-scoring match with ease. Since then, both teams have played 66 ODIs together, and India has won most of them. However, Zimbabwe has its share of upsets for India.
| Year | Host | Matches | Result |
| 1992 | Zimbabwe | 1 | India won |
| 1992 | India | 3 | India won 3-0 |
| 1996 | Zimbabwe | 1 | Zimbabwe won |
| 1998 | Zimbabwe | 3 | India won 2-1 |
| 2000 | India | 5 | India won 4-1 |
| 2001 | india | 5 | India won 3-2 |
| 2013 | Zimbabwe | 5 | India won 5-0 |
| 2015 | Zimbabwe | 3 | India won 3-0 |
| 2016 | Zimbabwe | 3 | India won 3-0 |
| 2022 | Zimbabwe | 3 | India won 3-0 |
India played their first Test match against Zimbabwe in 1992 in Harare, which ended in a draw. It came as a surprise to many as Zimbabwe was a new Test-playing nation at the time, and they managed to hold India at bay.
Over the years, Zimbabwe has played only 11 Tests against India. India won 7 of them, while Zimbabwe managed to win 2 Tests, and the rest of the matches ended in draws.
Here is the list of some memorable Test moments of the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline.
| Year | Host | Matches | Result |
| 1992 | Zimbabwe | 1 | Drawn |
| 1992 | India | 1 | India won 1-0 |
| 1998 | Zimbabwe | 1 | India won 1-0 |
| 2000 | India | 2 | India won 1-0 |
| 2001 | Zimbabwe | 2 | Drawn |
| 2001 | India | 2 | India won 2-0 |
| 2005 | Zimbabwe | 2 | India won 2-0 |
In the rivalry between the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline, the T20I has been a recent addition. The first T20I was played between these two nations in 2010 when India visited Zimbabwe for a series. India snatched victories in both T20Is in the series.
Since then, they’ve faced each other multiple times in bilateral series. India has dominated, but Zimbabwe has pulled a few surprises as well.
| Year | Host | Matches | Result |
| 2010 | Zimbabwe | 2 | India won 2-0 |
| 2015 | Zimbabwe | 2 | Drawn |
| 2016 | Zimbabwe | 3 | India won 2-1 |
| 2024 | Zimbabwe | 5 | India won 4-1 |
| Format | Matches | India Won | Zimbabwe Won | Draw/Tie/NR |
| Tests | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
| ODIs | 66 | 54 | 10 | 2 NR |
| T20Is | 13 | 10 | 3 | 0 |
In the ICC tournaments, India maintains a healthy lead over Zimbabwe. India and Zimbabwe have faced each other 9 times in ICC tournaments, and India has won 8 of them.
| ICC Tournament | Matches Played | India Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Years |
| Cricket World Cup | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1983 – 2015 |
| Champions Trophy | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2002 |
| T20 World Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2022 |
| Category | India | Zimbabwe |
| Highest ODI Total | 333/6 (2002) | 289/4 (2010) |
| Highest Test Total | 6090/6d (2000) | 503/6 (2000) |
| Highest T20I Total | 234/2 (2024) | 170/6 (2016) |
| Leading ODI Run-Scorer | Sachin Tendulkar | Andy Flower |
| Leading Wicket-Taker (ODIs) | Ajit Agarkar | Heath Streak |
Yes, Zimbabwe has defeated India a few times, especially in ODIs and once in T20Is.
Zimbabwe was a competitive side before the turn of the new century. They were a capable bunch of powerful players who were able to beat India in ODIs and Tests. There were many great players like Andy Flower, Heath Streak, and Tatenda Taibu in the Zimbabwe side.
The Zimbabwe side lost its way after the 2000s, and India started to dominate them with their strong side. India began to produce stronger players like Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, and more. Zimbabwe was in the rebuilding phase.
Currently, there isn’t much rivalry between these two sides. India often sends a second-string side to the Zimbabwe tour. However, these matches with Zimbabwe remain important for many reasons, including player development.
The cricketing rivalry between Zimbabwe and India may not be evenly matched as of now. However, it has produced some timeless results. The most famous is Kapil Dev’s 175 not out on the biggest stage of the 1983 World Cup. Zimbabwe’s few famous victories remind us of its golden era, but that has faded into oblivion. India continues to use these tours as a platform to blood young talent.
In this Zimbabwe national cricket team vs India national cricket team timeline, Zimbabwe aims to rebuild its cricketing strength. However, every clash with each other adds a new chapter to this unique cricketing rivalry.
Related Article: India National Cricket Team vs Bangladesh National Cricket Team Timeline
Ans: India and Zimbabwe first played in 1983 during the Cricket World Cup in England.
Ans: They have played 11 Test matches, with India winning most of them.
Ans: Yes, Zimbabwe has defeated India a few times, especially in ODIs and once in T20Is.
