India begin the final stretch of their T20 World Cup preparations as they take on New Zealand in the first T20I of a five-match series on January 21 in Nagpur. After a 2-1 setback in the ODI series, the focus now shifts to the shortest format, where both sides will look to fine-tune combinations, assess form, and settle last-minute tactical calls.
The series may not be played at World Cup venues, but Indian conditions promise quality preparation, especially for batters and spinners. For India, the spotlight is firmly on the top order, which has seen a reshuffle ahead of the global tournament. New Zealand, meanwhile, arrive with a balanced squad built around all-round depth and experience.
Read more :- IND vs NZ 1st T20 Today: Match Time, Venue, TV Channel and Free Live Streaming Details
Match Details at a Glance
- Match: India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I
- Date: January 21 (Wednesday)
- Time: 7:00 PM IST
- Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
What’s at Stake
India will be keen to bounce back after the ODI series loss and build momentum in T20 cricket, a format where margins are tight and clarity in roles matters most. The absence of Tilak Varma, ruled out of the first three matches following abdominal surgery, adds another layer of intrigue to India’s middle-order plans.
New Zealand, fresh and fearless, will look to exploit any early uncertainty and test India’s bowling combinations under lights.
Predicted Playing XI
India (Probable 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 (Probable 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
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
- Matches played: 25
- India wins: 15
- New Zealand wins: 10
India hold a clear edge historically, but recent encounters suggest New Zealand are more than capable of narrowing the gap.
Read more :- IND vs NZ 1st T20I Live Streaming: When, Where and How to Watch India vs New Zealand Match for Free
Squads for the Series
India T20I Squad:
Suryakumar Yadav (capt), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer (first three T20Is), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-capt), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravi Bishnoi
New Zealand T20I Squad:
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, Kristian Clarke
Live Streaming and Telecast
The India vs New Zealand 1st T20I will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website. Television viewers can catch the action on the Star Sports network, with coverage starting at 7 PM IST.
Full T20I Series Schedule
- 1st T20I: Jan 21 – Nagpur
- 2nd T20I: Jan 23 – Raipur
- 3rd T20I: Jan 25 – Guwahati
- 4th T20I: Jan 28 – Visakhapatnam
- 5th T20I: Jan 31 – Thiruvananthapuram
With the World Cup countdown ticking, every match in this series carries weight. Expect sharp cricket, bold calls, and a few experiments as India and New Zealand set the tone for an intense T20I contest.
