India and New Zealand are set for a packed start to 2026 as the two sides clash in an eight-match white-ball series, beginning January 11 and running till January 31. The tour features three ODIs followed by five T20Is, to be played across multiple Indian cities, offering fans nearly three weeks of non-stop international cricket.
The series comes at a crucial phase for Indian cricket, with the countdown already on for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. While the T20Is double up as final auditions, the ODI leg is expected to bring back some familiar heavyweights.
IND vs NZ 2026: Why This Series Matters
This home assignment is more than just another bilateral. The ODI matches are likely to see the return of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the 50-over setup, adding experience and stability after recent overseas outings.
Read More :- T20 World Cup at Home to Tough New Zealand Tour: Why 2026 Could Define Indian Cricket
On the T20 front, the focus shifts firmly to preparation mode. With the World Cup set to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka, every game will be closely monitored for form, fitness and team balance.
IND vs NZ ODI Squad Announcement: When to Expect It
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already named the T20I squad, the ODI squad is still awaited. As per sources, the selection committee is expected to meet online around January 3 or 4 to finalise the team for the three-match ODI series.
New Zealand, meanwhile, have already announced both their ODI and T20I squads for the tour.
New Zealand ODI Squad vs India
Michael Bracewell (C), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young
India’s ODI Plans: Key Dates and Venues
India’s ODI squad is expected to assemble in Vadodara on January 7. The same city will host the series opener before the action moves to Rajkot and Indore.
India vs New Zealand ODI 2026 Full Schedule
- Sunday, January 11, 2026 – Vadodara, BCA Stadium, Kotambi – 1:30 PM IST
- Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – Rajkot, Niranjan Shah Stadium – 1:30 PM IST
- Sunday, January 18, 2026 – Indore, Holkar Cricket Stadium – 1:30 PM IST
Where to Watch IND vs NZ ODI & T20I Series Live
The India vs New Zealand ODI and T20I matches will be telecast live on Star Sports channels in India. Fans can also live stream all games on the Jio Hotstar app and website.
T20Is: Final Rehearsal Before the World Cup
The five-match T20I series will act as a final testing ground for the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian side. With India defending its T20 World Cup title next month, team management will closely track combinations under different conditions.
The matches will be played across Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram, offering varied pitches and crowd atmospheres.
India vs New Zealand T20I 2026 Full Schedule
- Wednesday, January 21 – Nagpur, VCA Stadium – 7:00 PM IST
- Friday, January 23 – Raipur, SVNS International Stadium – 7:00 PM IST
- Sunday, January 25 – Guwahati, Barsapara Stadium – 7:00 PM IST
- Wednesday, January 28 – Visakhapatnam, ACA-VDCA Stadium – 7:00 PM IST
- Saturday, January 31 – Thiruvananthapuram, Greenfield Stadium – 7:00 PM IST
Read More :- IND vs NZ ODI Series 2026: Squad Announcement, Full Schedule, Match Dates, Venues & Live Streaming Details
T20I Squads at a Glance
India: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (C), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi
From the return of senior stars in ODIs to high-pressure auditions in T20Is, the India–New Zealand series promises competitive cricket and plenty of talking points. With the World Cup countdown ticking, every over in January could shape what fans see in February.
