India Tour of New Zealand 2026: Full Schedule, Squads, Fixtures, Venues and Series Guide

The India Tour of New Zealand 2026 is one of the major international cricket assignments on India’s calendar, featuring five T20 Internationals, five One Day Internationals and two Test matches. The tour is scheduled to begin on 22 October 2026 and conclude on 1 December 2026.

India will face the challenge of playing in New Zealand’s home conditions, where swing bowling, seam movement and changing weather can influence match strategies. The ODI series will also provide an opportunity to assess India’s squad combinations ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

This guide covers the India tour of New Zealand 2026 schedule, match dates, venues, Indian squads, captains, key players and important information for cricket fans.

India Tour of New Zealand 2026 Overview

The tour includes three formats, giving both teams opportunities to evaluate their T20 combinations, ODI preparations and Test-match strategies.

India Tour of New Zealand 2026 Full Schedule

The series begins with five T20 Internationals before moving into the five-match ODI series. The tour concludes with two Test matches.

India vs New Zealand T20I Schedule 2026

The T20I series will test both teams’ power-hitting, bowling variations and ability to adapt to different ground conditions. India’s squad features a combination of established international players and younger options.

Indian match timings: Check the confirmed match-day schedule before publishing individual start times, as the timings should be verified against the official fixture information.

India vs New Zealand ODI Schedule 2026

The ODI series will be particularly important for India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The selectors have announced separate squads for the first three and final two ODIs, with Shubman Gill leading the first group of matches and Shreyas Iyer taking over the captaincy for the last two.

The announced start time for all five ODIs is 7:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).

India vs New Zealand Test Schedule 2026

The Test series will present a different challenge from the limited-overs matches. New Zealand’s conditions can reward disciplined seam bowling, patience outside off stump and the ability to build partnerships over extended periods.

Both teams will need to manage their fast-bowling resources carefully across the two matches.

The announced Test start time is 3:30 AM IST for both matches.

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India Squad for New Zealand Tour 2026

The BCCI has announced India’s T20I squad and subsequently confirmed the ODI and Test squads. Captaincy arrangements differ between formats and even between groups of ODI matches.

India T20I Squad for New Zealand 2026

The announced Indian T20I squad is:

• Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
• Abhishek Sharma
• Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
• Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
• Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain)
• Axar Patel
• Shivam Dube
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Naman Dhir
• Prince Yadav
• Mayank Yadav
• Arshdeep Singh
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar
• Varun Chakaravarthy
• Kuldeep Yadav

This squad combines aggressive batting options with pace and spin bowling resources. The final playing XI for each T20I will depend on team strategy, player fitness and conditions at the venue.

India ODI Squad for the First Three Matches

Shubman Gill will captain India in the first three ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer serving as vice-captain.

The announced squad is:

• Shubman Gill (Captain)
• Rohit Sharma
• Virat Kohli
• Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain)
• KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Axar Patel
• Naman Dhir
• Anshul Kamboj
• Gurnoor Brar
• Ruturaj Gaikwad
• Arshdeep Singh
• Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
• Mohammed Siraj
• Prasidh Krishna
• Kuldeep Yadav

Prasidh Krishna’s participation is subject to fitness clearance.

The selection gives India a blend of experienced batters, middle-order options, wicketkeepers and different bowling styles. The series will offer a useful opportunity to assess combinations against New Zealand’s home attack.

India ODI Squad for the Fourth and Fifth Matches

Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the final two ODIs, with Ishan Kishan named vice-captain.

The announced squad is:

• Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
• Rohit Sharma
• Virat Kohli
• Tilak Varma
• Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper and Vice-Captain)
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Axar Patel
• Naman Dhir
• Auqib Nabi
• Gurnoor Brar
• Ruturaj Gaikwad
• Arshdeep Singh
• Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper)
• Mohammed Siraj
• Yash Thakur
• Kuldeep Yadav

Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur have received maiden ODI call-ups. The two-part squad announcement makes the final two matches especially relevant for assessing India’s depth and the players being considered for future ODI opportunities.

India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline

India Test Squad for New Zealand 2026

Shubman Gill will captain India in the two-match Test series.

The announced squad is:

• Shubman Gill (Captain)
• Yashasvi Jaiswal
• KL Rahul (Vice-Captain)
• Devdutt Padikkal
• Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
• Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
• Ravindra Jadeja
• Anshul Kamboj
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Prasidh Krishna
• Akash Deep
• Sai Sudharsan
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Washington Sundar
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Mohammed Siraj

Rishabh Pant’s selection is subject to fitness clearance, while Prasidh Krishna’s availability also depends on fitness clearance.

India’s Test combination includes specialist batting options, wicketkeepers, spin resources and a pace attack that can be adjusted according to the conditions.

New Zealand Team and Squad Updates

New Zealand will have the advantage of familiar home conditions throughout the series. The host side’s final combinations and availability should be checked against the official squad announcements for each format.

When assessing New Zealand’s prospects, several factors will matter:

• The availability of frontline fast bowlers.
• The balance between specialist batters and all-rounders.
• The use of spin at venues where conditions favour slower bowling.
• Changes between the T20I, ODI and Test squads.
• Player workload and fitness during the six-week tour.

Readers should consult the latest confirmed team announcements before relying on a predicted playing XI or an unconfirmed player list.

India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Players

Key Players to Watch During the India Tour

Shubman Gill

Gill’s role will extend across the tour, including captaincy in the first three ODIs and the Test series. His ability to lead the batting order and manage different match situations will be important.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit remains a major part of India’s ODI batting plans. His experience against the new ball could be particularly valuable in conditions where early movement challenges opening batters.

Virat Kohli

Kohli’s ODI experience and ability to build an innings make him an important player to watch. His approach against New Zealand’s seam attack will be one of the central batting contests of the series.

Shreyas Iyer

Iyer will captain the T20I side and the final two ODIs. His responsibilities across the tour make him a key figure in India’s limited-overs campaign.

Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah’s inclusion in the Test squad gives India an experienced fast-bowling option. His workload, fitness and effectiveness with the new ball will be important factors in the red-ball matches.

Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep offers India a specialist wrist-spin option across formats. The extent of his involvement will depend on pitch conditions, team balance and the match situation.

Venues for India Tour of New Zealand 2026

The fixtures cover several New Zealand cities, giving the teams different playing environments during the tour.

Christchurch

Christchurch hosts the opening two T20Is and the second Test. Conditions and weather can influence the balance between pace and spin, making the toss and early batting conditions important considerations.

Wellington

Wellington hosts the third T20I, second ODI and first Test. Wind and movement can affect how teams approach their innings and select their bowling combinations.

Auckland

Auckland hosts the fourth T20I and the first ODI. The ground dimensions, pitch behaviour and weather will help determine the balance between attacking batting and controlled bowling.

Hamilton

Hamilton hosts the fifth T20I and third ODI. Teams will need to adapt their plans to the conditions available on match day.

Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui hosts the fourth and fifth ODIs. These back-to-back matches could be important in determining the final outcome of the ODI series.

Why the ODI Series Matters for the 2027 World Cup

India’s five-match ODI series comes during preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. International matches against a strong home side can help identify the combinations that work best under pressure.

The separate squads announced for the first three and final two ODIs also create different selection questions across the series.

India’s management will be able to evaluate batting depth, wicketkeeping options, bowling combinations and the roles of younger players. At the same time, senior players can help establish consistency in the team’s approach.

However, selection for this tour does not automatically confirm a player’s place in the eventual World Cup squad. Form, fitness and performances in subsequent matches will continue to matter.

India Tour of New Zealand 2026 Live Score and Results

Cricket fans following the tour should look for match-specific updates covering:

• Live scores and ball-by-ball commentary.
• Playing XI and toss results.
• Full scorecards and fall of wickets.
• Batting and bowling statistics.
• Match results and series standings.
• Post-match analysis and player performances.

For the best reader experience, the live-score page should be updated during the match, while completed fixtures should have their own result and scorecard pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the India tour of New Zealand 2026 begin?

The tour is scheduled to begin on 22 October 2026 with the first T20 International in Christchurch.

How many matches will India play in New Zealand in 2026?

India will play 12 international matches: five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.

When does the India vs New Zealand ODI series begin?

The first ODI is scheduled for 4 November 2026 in Auckland.

Who is India’s captain for the New Zealand tour?

Shreyas Iyer is the T20I captain. Shubman Gill will captain the first three ODIs and the Test side, while Shreyas Iyer will lead India in the final two ODIs.

When will the Test series begin?

The first Test is scheduled to begin on 19 November 2026 in Wellington. The second Test is scheduled to begin on 27 November in Christchurch.

What time do the ODI matches start in India?

The five ODIs are scheduled to start at 7:30 AM IST.

What time do the Test matches start in India?

Both Tests are scheduled to start at 3:30 AM IST.

Where can readers follow the India tour of New Zealand 2026?

Readers can follow the series through match previews, live-score updates, scorecards, results and post-match analysis. Confirmed broadcast and streaming details should be checked against the latest official announcements.

Final Outlook

The India Tour of New Zealand 2026 offers three different challenges across T20Is, ODIs and Tests. India’s squad selections provide a mix of established international players and younger options, while the ODI series will be an important part of the team’s preparations for the 2027 World Cup.

For readers, the most useful way to follow the tour is through one central schedule and series guide supported by separate pages for squads, individual fixtures, scorecards and match analysis. This keeps the main article useful throughout the tour while allowing each match page to answer a more specific search query.

This page should be updated when official playing XIs, confirmed results, fitness changes and broadcast information become available.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rajani Kant

Cricket Writer & Editor at TeamStats.in

Rajani Kant is a cricket writer and editor at TeamStats.in, covering cricket statistics, team records, player performances, match results and important developments from international cricket. His focus is on presenting cricket information in a clear, useful and easy-to-understand format.

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