India vs New Zealand series 2026: Cricket fans are gearing up for an exciting international series as Team India prepares to tour New Zealand for five T20Is, five ODIs and two Test matches. The tour begins on October 22, with the opening T20 International scheduled at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The series will provide both teams with an important opportunity to test their combinations, assess player form and build momentum ahead of future international tournaments. India will begin with the T20I leg before moving on to the ODI and Test formats.
India vs New Zealand Series 2026: Key Match Details
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | India tour of New Zealand 2026 |
| First Match | 1st T20I |
| Date | October 22, 2026 |
| Venue | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| T20I Series | 5 matches |
| ODI Series | 5 matches |
| Test Series | 2 matches |
| First T20I Time | 12:30 PM IST |
The schedule published by New Zealand Cricket confirms that the tour will run from October 22 into December, with matches across all three international formats.
India vs New Zealand T20I Schedule 2026
The five-match T20I series will open in Christchurch before moving to Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | October 22 | Christchurch | 12:30 PM |
| 2nd T20I | October 24 | Christchurch | 12:30 PM |
| 3rd T20I | October 27 | Wellington | 12:30 PM |
| 4th T20I | October 30 | Auckland | 12:30 PM |
| 5th T20I | November 1 | Hamilton | 12:30 PM |
All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST).
India vs New Zealand ODI Schedule 2026
Following the T20I series, the teams will compete in five One Day Internationals. The ODI leg begins on November 4.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | November 4 | Auckland | 7:30 AM |
| 2nd ODI | November 7 | Wellington | 7:30 AM |
| 3rd ODI | November 10 | Hamilton | 7:30 AM |
| 4th ODI | November 13 | Tauranga | 7:30 AM |
| 5th ODI | November 15 | Tauranga | 7:30 AM |
The ODI matches will give both sides opportunities to assess their combinations and performance in New Zealand conditions.
India vs New Zealand Test Series Schedule
The tour will conclude with a two-match Test series in November.
| Test Match | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | November 19–23 | Basin Reserve, Wellington |
| 2nd Test | November 27–December 1 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
The Test series will be particularly important for players looking to establish themselves in the longest format of international cricket.
India T20I Squad for New Zealand Tour 2026
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s T20I squad on October 6. Shreyas Iyer has been named captain, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain.
The announced squad includes a mix of experienced international players and younger options.
India T20I squad:
- Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
- Tilak Varma (Vice-captain)
- Axar Patel
- Shivam Dube
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Naman Dhir
- Prince Yadav
- Mayank Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Kuldeep Yadav
The ODI and Test squads were still to be announced in the BCCI’s October 6 release. Readers should check the latest official announcement for any subsequent selection updates.
New Zealand Squad and Key Players to Watch
New Zealand will look to make the most of home conditions across the three formats. In the ODI squad announcement, Mitchell Santner was named captain, while Rachin Ravindra’s return for the opening three ODIs adds another option to the team’s batting and bowling resources.
Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert are also among the notable names selected for the ODI series. New Zealand’s ability to adapt to different formats and conditions will be a major factor throughout the tour.
Why India vs New Zealand 2026 Is Worth Watching
The upcoming series offers several storylines for cricket fans:
- A five-match T20I contest: Both teams will have multiple opportunities to test their combinations.
- ODI preparation: The five-match series will offer valuable experience in the 50-over format.
- New Zealand home conditions: Indian players will face the challenges of playing away from home.
- Player selection and form: Squad announcements, fitness updates and performances will be closely followed.
- A multi-format contest: The two-Test series will provide a different challenge after the white-ball matches.
Where to Follow India vs New Zealand Match Updates
Fans should follow official BCCI and New Zealand Cricket announcements for confirmed squads, playing XIs and schedule updates. Match-day scorecards and broadcast details should be checked closer to each fixture, as coverage availability may vary.
With the first T20I scheduled for October 22, anticipation is building for a series that will feature 12 international matches across T20Is, ODIs and Tests.
Also read, October 2026 Cricket Schedule: Full International Matches, India Fixtures and Major Games
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