The countdown has begun for India’s first major home assignment of 2026. New Zealand are set to tour India for a white-ball series featuring three ODIs and five T20Is, starting January 11. With senior stars expected to return and World Cup preparations intensifying, the IND vs NZ ODI series is shaping up to be a key moment in India’s limited-overs roadmap.
IND vs NZ 2026: Why this series matters
The ODI leg against New Zealand comes at an important time for the India national cricket team. India’s recent ODI form has been inconsistent — a series loss to Australia away was followed by a confidence-boosting win over South Africa at home. Against the Blackcaps, the focus will be on stability, form, and settling the core group for future ICC events.
For New Zealand, the tour offers a chance to test their bench strength in challenging Indian conditions, especially on slower surfaces where adaptability becomes crucial.
Read More :- India Women vs Sri Lanka Women 4th T20I: Date, Time, Venue, Live Streaming, Predicted XI
ODI squad announcement: Expected dates and key updates
While the T20I squad for the New Zealand series has already been announced alongside the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad, the ODI squad is still awaited.
As per reports, the ODI squad is likely to be announced between January 3 and January 4.
- Senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are expected to return for the 50-over format.
- Both players are currently featuring in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and have already scored centuries, strengthening their case for selection.
- Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, who suffered an injury during the Australia series, missed the South Africa ODIs and remains a selection watch.
India vs New Zealand 2026 – Full ODI Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Sun, Jan 11, 2026 | Vadodara – BCA Stadium, Kotambi | 1:30 PM |
| 2nd ODI | Wed, Jan 14, 2026 | Rajkot – Niranjan Shah Stadium, Khandheri | 1:30 PM |
| 3rd ODI | Sun, Jan 18, 2026 | Indore – Holkar Cricket Stadium | 1:30 PM |
India vs New Zealand 2026 – Full T20I Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Wed, Jan 21, 2026 | Nagpur – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| 2nd T20I | Fri, Jan 23, 2026 | Raipur – Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| 3rd T20I | Sun, Jan 25, 2026 | Guwahati – Barsapara Cricket Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| 4th T20I | Wed, Jan 28, 2026 | Visakhapatnam – ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium | 7:00 PM |
| 5th T20I | Sat, Jan 31, 2026 | Thiruvananthapuram – Greenfield International Stadium | 7:00 PM |
India squad for T20I series vs New Zealand
The T20I squad has already been confirmed, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the side:
Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (WK)
This T20I leg is being seen as the final testing ground before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.
IND vs NZ ODI Series 2026: Schedule overview
- Series: India vs New Zealand
- Format: 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is
- Start date: January 11, 2026
- ODI matches: January (dates to be officially confirmed)
- Venues: Across major Indian cricket centres (to be announced)
The official match-wise schedule, venues, and timings are expected to be released alongside the ODI squad announcement.
Where to watch India vs New Zealand live
Cricket fans in India will have multiple viewing options:
- TV broadcast: Star Sports Network
- Live streaming: Jio Hotstar app and website
All eight matches of the series — ODIs and T20Is — will be available live.
What to expect next
With the ODI squad announcement just days away, attention will remain on selection calls, player fitness, and leadership balance. For India, the series is not just about results, but about clarity — identifying the right combinations as the international calendar heats up in 2026.
