The cricketing world is buzzing with excitement as India hosts New Zealand for an action-packed white-ball series in 2026. Following India’s intense clashes with South Africa, this eight-match extravaganza promises high-stakes ODIs and thrilling T20Is. Drawing from the latest announcements by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), here’s everything you need to know about the schedule, venues, probable squads, and where to catch the live action.
Series Overview
The New Zealand tour of India kicks off with a three-match ODI series, setting the stage for momentum-building encounters, before shifting gears to a five-match T20I series. This bilateral series is a crucial preparation for both teams ahead of major international tournaments, showcasing star players and emerging talents. With venues spread across the country, fans from Vadodara to Thiruvananthapuram will get a chance to witness live cricket magic.
Full Schedule and Venues
All matches are day-night affairs, with ODIs starting at 1:30 PM IST and T20Is at 7:00 PM IST. Here’s the breakdown:
ODI Series
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | January 11, 2026 | Vadodara | 1:30 PM |
| 2nd ODI | January 14, 2026 | Rajkot | 1:30 PM |
| 3rd ODI | January 18, 2026 | Indore | 1:30 PM |
T20I Series
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | January 21, 2026 | Nagpur | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | January 23, 2026 | Raipur | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | January 25, 2026 | Guwahati | 7:00 PM |
| 4th T20I | January 28, 2026 | Visakhapatnam | 7:00 PM |
| 5th T20I | January 31, 2026 | Thiruvananthapuram | 7:00 PM |
This packed itinerary ensures non-stop cricket for fans, with short gaps allowing teams to recover and strategize.
Probable Squads
While New Zealand’s squad details are yet to be fully disclosed, India’s probable 15-member ODI squad has been highlighted, featuring a mix of experience and youth under the captaincy of Shubman Gill. Key comebacks include Shreyas Iyer post-injury, Hardik Pandya returning to the 50-over format, and Jasprit Bumrah bolstering the pace attack.
India’s Probable ODI Squad:
- Captain: Shubman Gill
- Batsmen: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Wicketkeepers: KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav
The T20I squad for India remains unconfirmed in the latest updates, but expect overlaps with the ODI team, potentially including T20 specialists. Fans are eager to see how these lineups perform against a resilient Kiwi side known for their fighting spirit.
How to Watch the Series
Don’t miss a single delivery! The entire series will be broadcast live on Star Sports for television viewers. For those on the go, stream every match on JioCinema (formerly Jio Hotstar) via mobile or web. With high-definition coverage and expert commentary, it’s the perfect way to stay connected to the action.
What to Expect
India enters as favorites on home soil, but New Zealand’s history of upsets—think their World Cup heroics—means anything can happen. Will Virat Kohli dazzle with the bat? Can Bumrah’s yorkers dismantle the Kiwi top order? Share your predictions in the comments below!
