The India national cricket team toured New Zealand from 7 December 1998 to 19 January 1999 and played a three-match Test series against New Zealand. New Zealand won the series 1–0. The two teams also played a 5-match ODI series that ended in a 2–2 draw.
Background
India came into New Zealand with a poor away record. They had won just one Test away from home since 1986,[1] and not won a series in New Zealand since 1968.[2] Most recently, they had lost away to Zimbabwe in a one-off Test.[3]
From 35 meetings between the two sides, New Zealand had won six, lost 13, and drawn 16 Tests.[4] Going into the Test series, India had five batsmen ranked inside the top 20 of the ICC Men's Player Rankings, three of who averaged over 50. On the other hand, New Zealand had only one batsman averaging above 40, Craig McMillan, and that from only eight Tests. The Christchurch Press wrote, "Where the Black Caps achieve parity and should have an advantage at home is in the bowling ranks. Leg-spinner Anil Kumble and seam bowler Javagal Srinath are the cornerstones of India's bowling attack, while Venkatesh Prasad should develop further in New Zealand conditions. But India's back-up spin bowling resources are barely tried.... [t]hrough Chris Cairns, Dion Nash and Shayne O'Connor, there is wicket-taking prowess."[5]
India's 15-man Test squad for the tour was announced in November 1998. Harbhajan Singh, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Debashish Mohanty who were excluded from the side for the ICC KnockOut Trophy and tri-series earlier that year, were recalled.[1] The New Zealand Test squad was named on 8 December. Paceman Geoff Allott made a comeback into the squad for the third time and was included ahead of Shayne O'Connor as he offered "more pace and bounce". 21-year-old batsman Matthew Bell was added for the first time.[7] O'Connor was later added to the squad after Simon Doull was ruled out with a strained calf.[2]Roger Twose was included to their side for the Third Test replacing an injured Nathan Astle.[8]
Play was stopped for 50 minutes due to technical fault in a floodlight tower. On resumption, New Zealand's target was revised to 200 runs off 39 overs.
