With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starting on February 7, this series marks the final crucial preparation for India and New Zealand ahead of the global event.
India's Arshdeep Singh celebrates after dismissing New Zealand's Henry Nicholls during the 3rd One Day International (ODI) match between India and New Zealand at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 18, 2026. (Photo: IANS)
The highly anticipated India vs New Zealand first T20I is scheduled to be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, on January 21, with the match set to begin at 7:00 PM IST. With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starting on February 7, this series marks the final crucial preparation for both sides ahead of the global event.
For New Zealand, the match presents a golden opportunity to seal a T20I series against India – something they have failed to do after losing deciders in 2017 and 2023. The visitors arrive high on confidence, having registered historic ODI and Test series wins against India within the last 15 months. The key question looming over this contest is whether the Black Caps can extend their dominance across formats against the hosts.
Advertisement
India, meanwhile, will be keen to make the most of this opportunity after winning their most recent T20I series against South Africa. The home side will also feature several changes, with key players returning to the squad. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah are back after being rested earlier with the World Cup in mind, significantly boosting India’s batting depth and bowling firepower.
Advertisement
Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that Ishan Kishan will bat at number three in place of the injured Tilak Varma, while Shreyas Iyer may miss out on a spot in the playing XI. Suryakumar himself will be under pressure to deliver, having endured a lean patch during the South Africa series.
India hold a slight edge in the T20I head-to-head record, with 15 wins to New Zealand’s 10 from 25 matches. At the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, the two sides have met only once—during the 2016 T20 World Cup, where New Zealand famously bowled India out for just 79.
The second T20I of the series will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur.
Match: India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I
Date: January 21, Wednesday
Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
Time: 7:00 PM IST
The live telecast of the India vs. New Zealand 1st T20I will be available on the Star Sports Network.
Live streaming in India can be watched on JioHotstar.
India Predicted XI:
Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy
New Zealand Predicted XI:
Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi
India Squad:
Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh.
New Zealand Squad:
Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kristian Clarke, Zakary Foulkes.
Advertisement
