India vs New Zealand 1st T20I 2026: All You Need to Know
The much-anticipated T20I series between India and New Zealand kicks off this Wednesday. India will look to bounce back after a recent ODI series loss. This five-match contest serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Match Date, Time, and Venue
The first T20I starts on January 21, 2026. The match begins at 7:00 PM IST. Nagpur's Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium will host the opening clash.
Series Context and Team Focus
India enters this series with a point to prove. Their 2-1 defeat in the ODI series against New Zealand still stings. This T20I battle offers a perfect chance for redemption.
Both teams will use these matches to fine-tune their strategies. They aim to finalize their combinations before the T20 World Cup. All eyes will be on India's top-order batting lineup.
The team faces a slight setback with Tilak Varma's absence. He will miss the first three games due to an abdominal surgery. This injury comes after last month's World Cup squad announcement caused some reshuffling.
Predicted Playing XIs
India's likely XI: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy.
New Zealand's probable XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wicketkeeper), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (captain), Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi.
Head-to-Head Record in ODIs
The two nations have played 25 ODI matches against each other. India holds the advantage with 15 victories. New Zealand has won 10 encounters.
Live Streaming and Telecast Details
Fans can catch all the action live on the Star Sports network. The match will also stream on the JioHotstar app and website. Coverage begins at 7:00 PM IST on Wednesday.
Full T20I Series Schedule
The five-match series follows a packed calendar:
- 1st T20I: January 21 (Wednesday), 7 PM IST, Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
- 2nd T20I: January 23 (Friday), 7 PM IST, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur
- 3rd T20I: January 25 (Sunday), 7 PM IST, ACA Stadium, Guwahati
- 4th T20I: January 28 (Wednesday), 7 PM IST, Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
- 5th T20I: January 31 (Saturday), 7 PM IST, Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
Squad Announcements
India's T20I Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravi Bishnoi.
New Zealand's T20I Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi, Kristian Clarke.
Cricket enthusiasts eagerly await this exciting contest. The series promises high-octane action as both teams build momentum for the World Cup.
