Cricket lovers have something big coming up this January. New Zealand is visiting India for white-ball matches. The IND vs NZ T20 2026 schedule just dropped and it looks amazing.
Five different cities will host these matches. Your favorite cricketers will battle it out across the country.
IND vs NZ T20 Schedule 2026
The series kicks off on January 21, 2026. It continues until January 31 with five exciting games. All matches begin at 7:00 PM IST. This timing works perfectly for families to watch together.
Complete Schedule:
| Match | Date | City | Stadium | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Match | January 21, 2026 | Nagpur | VCA Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd Match | January 23, 2026 | Raipur | SVNS International Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd Match | January 25, 2026 | Guwahati | Barsapara Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| 4th Match | January 28, 2026 | Visakhapatnam | ACA-VDCA Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| 5th Match | January 31, 2026 | Thiruvananthapuram | Greenfield Stadium | 7:00 PM |
Each venue has great facilities. The grounds are prepared perfectly for fast cricket. Stadium authorities expect huge crowds at every match. Tickets are selling quickly across all cities.
Venues Spotlight: Why They Matter
Each stadium brings its own flavor:
- Nagpur: A spinner’s paradise with red-soil pitches. Leg-spinners and mystery bowlers could dominate.
- Raipur: Modern facilities, good bounce – ideal for pace-off variations and yorkers.
- Guwahati: Smallish ground, high altitude feel – boundaries will fly, pressuring bowlers to be precise.
- Visakhapatnam: Sea breeze assists swing; teams batting second might have an edge with dew.
- Thiruvananthapuram: Lush green outfield, square boundaries shorter – perfect for innovative strokeplay.
Fans across these cities are buzzing – tickets are selling fast, and expect packed houses with that unmistakable Indian cricket energy.
IND vs NZ: Team Squads
India Squad: Power-Packed & World Cup-Focused
Suryakumar Yadav continues as captain, with the explosive Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel providing leadership support (Axar named vice-captain). The selectors have gone for a mix of proven performers and high-potential talents, keeping an eye on the upcoming World Cup.
Here’s the full squad breakdown:
Leadership and All-Rounders:
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain) – The 360-degree maestro himself.
- Axar Patel (Vice-Captain) – Reliable spinner and handy lower-order hitter.
- Hardik Pandya – Star all-rounder, pace bowling and big-hitting finisher.
- Shivam Dube – Power-hitting all-rounder with medium-pace options.
- Abhishek Sharma – Aggressive opening batter who can spin the ball.
Batters and Wicketkeepers:
- Sanju Samson (WK) – In red-hot form, elegant strokeplayer.
- Ishan Kishan (WK) – Explosive left-hander, backup keeper.
- Shreyas Iyer – Classy middle-order batter (available for first three T20Is only).
- Rinku Singh – Finisher extraordinaire, cool under pressure.
Bowlers:
- Ravi Bishnoi – Leg-spin prodigy.
- Jasprit Bumrah – Death-over king, back to lead the pace attack.
- Arshdeep Singh – Swing and yorker specialist.
- Harshit Rana – Young pace sensation with raw speed.
- Kuldeep Yadav – Wrist-spin wizard.
- Varun Chakravarthy – Mystery spinner.
New Zealand Squad: Disciplined & Dangerous
Mitchell Santner takes the captaincy reins in this series, bringing his calm leadership and handy left-arm spin. The Kiwis have blended experience with emerging talent, focusing on adaptable all-rounders who thrive in pressure situations.
Full squad breakdown:
Leadership and All-Rounders:
- Mitchell Santner (Captain) – Clever spinner and steady batter.
- Michael Bracewell – Versatile spin-bowling all-rounder.
- Daryl Mitchell – Middle-order anchor with pace options.
- Mark Chapman – Explosive left-hander.
- James Neesham – Experienced finisher and seamer.
- Glenn Phillips – Dynamic batter and part-time spinner.
- Rachin Ravindra – Exciting young all-rounder, spin and classy batting.
- Zak Foulkes – Emerging all-round option.
Batters and Wicketkeeper:
- Devon Conway (WK) – Reliable opener/keeper, technique personified.
- Tim Robinson – Aggressive top-order batter.
- Bevon Jacobs – Promising middle-order player.
Bowlers:
- Matt Henry – Swing and seam leader.
- Kyle Jamieson – Tall pace with bounce.
- Jacob Duffy – Accurate seamer.
- Kristian Clarke – Young fast bowler.
- Ish Sodhi – Leg-spin variety.
Everyone knows what’s at stake here. The T20 World Cup is just a month away. Indian players must perform well to keep their spots. This IND vs NZ series will show who’s ready for the big stage.
Head-to-Head: IND vs NZ in T20Is
India and New Zealand have clashed 25 times in T20 Internationals so far, and it’s been a competitive battle with India holding a slight edge.
Here’s the precise breakdown in a simple table for quick reference:
| Category | Matches Played | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 26 | 15 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| In India (Home for IND) | 13 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| In New Zealand | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Neutral Venues | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Key Insights:
- India dominates at home (9-3), making them strong favorites in this series.
- New Zealand has the upper hand in their backyard and has delivered big upsets, like knocking India out of the 2021 T20 World Cup.
- Last 5 T20Is: India won 3, New Zealand won 2 – showing the Kiwis can push hard even recently.
- Highest team score: India 234/4 (2023), NZ’s best chase/reply often gritty under pressure.
This rivalry is always tight – India has the firepower, but NZ’s smart, disciplined cricket makes them dangerous.
What to Watch Out For
As a cricket analyst, I see this series as a potential trendsetter. India’s aggressive T20 approach under their leadership group has been revolutionary, but New Zealand’s calm composure can frustrate even the best.
Key battles: India’s power-hitters vs NZ’s clever seamers; middle-order stability on turning tracks; and death bowling under pressure.
With the World Cup looming, young guns on both sides will be eager to stake claims. Will we see breakout performances? Tactical masterclasses from captains? Or sheer entertainment with 200+ scores?
One thing’s for sure: this isn’t just another bilateral – it’s a high-stakes prelude to global glory.
Cricket fans, mark your calendars, set those reminders, and get ready for ten days of pure T20 thrill from January 21 to 31. Whether you’re at the stadium or glued to your screens, India vs New Zealand 2026 is set to deliver memories.
Broadcasting and Streaming Details
Star Sports Network broadcasts all matches live. Their coverage includes expert analysis and commentary. Viewers get multiple language options too. Jio Hotstar streams the matches online for digital viewers.
The 2026 series promises thrilling entertainment. Indian grounds create an electric atmosphere for cricket. January weather will be pleasant across all venues. This Time Table gives fans a month-long cricket festival.
Make sure you catch every game. The IND vs NZ rivalry produces unforgettable moments. This 2026 T20 series will be no different. Get ready for some spectacular cricket action!
