New Delhi: The new year 2026 is coming with a zinger for the Indian cricket team. The New Zealand team will tour India, where first a series of 3 ODIs and then 5 T20 matches will be played. This series is stuff considered as a rehearsal for the T20 World Cup 2026 to be held in February-March. India is the defending champion on home ground, so both pressure and expectations are high.
ODIs will start at 1:30 pm, and T20s will start at 7 pm. Venues in variegated cities, Fans will get live action. Let's see the well-constructed schedule and details.
ODI series: When will it start?
The series will start with ODI. Three matches, in three variegated cities.
- 1st ODI: January 11, 2026, Vadodara (Kotambi Stadium) : 1:30 PM. Men's international match in Vadodara without 15 years.
- 2nd ODI: 14 January 2026, Rajkot : 1:30 PM.
- 3rd ODI: 18 January 2026, Indore (Holkar Stadium) : 1:30 PM. High-scoring ground, fun to bat.
These ODIs will refresh the old rivalry between India and New Zealand. India won 62 in 120 ODIs, New Zealand 50. Will seniors like Rohit and Kohli shine here?
T20 Series: Is it real preparation for the World Cup?
5 T20s without ODI – these are the most important. T20 World Cup on home ground, so last endangerment to set the combination.
- 1st T20: 21 January 2026, Nagpur – 7 PM.
- 2nd T20: 23 January 2026, Raipur – 7 PM.
- 3rd T20: 25 January 2026, Guwahati – 7 PM.
- 4th T20: 28 January 2026, Visakhapatnam – 7 PM.
- 5th T20: 31 January 2026, Thiruvananthapuram – 7 PM.
India's record in T20 is largest – 14 wins in 25 matches. Suryakumar Yadav will captain, young players will get a chance. New Zealand team is strong, but India is favorite at home.
Where to watch the matches, and why is it special?
Live telecast on Star Sports, streaming on JioCinema. 8 variegated venues, cricket at every corner for fans. Many New Zealand players are rented in leagues, but the series is exciting. Opportunity for India to do a combination test surpassing the World Cup. Will Team India sally stronger from here and enter the World Cup? Fans have increasingly vision on T20. New year, new series– double the fun of cricket!
