New Zealand host India in the first T20I of the five-match series at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Thursday, October 22. The match starts at 12:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time, with India favourites at a 62% win probability compared to New Zealand&rsquo;s 38%. 
 
Watch NZ vs IND T20 live on tapmad for live coverage, scores, wickets and scorecard updates.&nbsp;

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			Detail
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			Information
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			Match
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			New Zealand vs India, 1st T20I
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			Series
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			Five-match T20I series
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			Date
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			Thursday, October 22, 2026
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			Start Time
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			12:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time
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			Venue
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			Hagley Oval, Christchurch
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			New Zealand Captain
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			Mitchell Santner
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			India Captain
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			Shreyas Iyer
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			India Win Probability
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			62%
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			New Zealand Win Probability
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			38%
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&nbsp;

<h2>India Target a Strong Start in Christchurch</h2>

India will look to use their batting depth and bowling options to take an early lead in the series. Abhishek Sharma offers an attacking option at the top, while Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan provide wicketkeeping choices and batting depth.

Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma and Axar Patel adding further batting options. Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy provide additional all-round options.

India&#39;s bowling attack includes Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Mayank Yadav. Their ability to take wickets and restrict New Zealand&#39;s scoring will be important at Hagley Oval.

<h2>New Zealand Count on Home Advantage</h2>

New Zealand will aim to make the most of home conditions in Christchurch. Finn Allen and Devon Conway offer contrasting opening options, while Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips can provide power in the middle order.

Captain Mitchell Santner adds left-arm spin and batting depth. Michael Bracewell also offers an all-round option, giving New Zealand flexibility with their team combination.

The pace attack includes Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson. New Zealand will look to take early wickets and put India&#39;s batting lineup under pressure.

<h2>India Squad News</h2>

Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the opening T20I, according to the supplied squad list. The group includes specialist batters, wicketkeepers, all-rounders, spinners and fast bowlers.

Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson provide attacking batting options, while Ishan Kishan adds another wicketkeeping choice. Tilak Varma, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube strengthen the batting lineup, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir offering additional all-round options.

India&#39;s bowling options include Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav in the pace department. Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel provide spin options.

<h3>India squad</h3>

Shreyas Iyer (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Prince Yadav and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

<h2>New Zealand Squad News</h2>

Mitchell Santner will lead New Zealand, with Devon Conway and Tim Seifert providing wicketkeeping options. Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell are among the key batting choices.

Michael Bracewell and Josh Clarkson add all-round depth, while Nathan Smith offers another pace-bowling option. New Zealand also have several experienced fast bowlers who can challenge India&#39;s batters.

The squad&#39;s bowling resources include Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson and Blair Tickner. Santner and Bracewell can contribute with spin.

<h3>New Zealand squad</h3>

Mitchell Santner (C), Adam Milne, Devon Conway (WK), Daryl Mitchell, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Michael Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Seifert (WK), Glenn Phillips, Blair Tickner, Josh Clarkson, Finn Allen, Nathan Smith and Bevon Jacobs.

<h2>Watch India vs New Zealand T20 Live on tapmad</h2>

New Zealand host India in the first T20I of the five-match series on Thursday, October 22, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The match is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time.

Watch NZ vs IND T20 live on tapmad for live match coverage, score updates, wickets and scorecard details.

India vs New Zealand T20 preview as both teams begin their five-match series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on October 22, 2026.

India vs New Zealand 1st T20 Preview, Squads and Match Details

The <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/sports/india-tour-of-new-zealand-2026/1214/1">India tour of New Zealand 2026</a> bilateral series is set to commence on October 22, 2026, and run until December 1, 2026. This 12-match multi-format tour represents the largest inbound cricket tour in New Zealand&#39;s history, comprising five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches.&nbsp;

The Test leg is of utmost relevance, counting directly toward the ongoing 2025&ndash;2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle.

For cricket enthusiasts analyzing the New Zealand vs India Schedule, this tour maps a dense 40-day itinerary spanning major venues across Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, and Hamilton.

<h2>New Zealand vs India Complete Schedule</h2>

The following table provides the confirmed dates, venues, and timings for every fixture. Timings are displayed in Pakistan Standard Time.

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			Match Designation
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			Date (2026)
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			Venue Location
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			Time (PKT)
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			1st T20I&nbsp;
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			October 22
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:193px">
			Hagley Oval, Christchurch
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:114px">
			12:00 PM
			</td>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:148px">
			2nd T20I
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			October 24
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:193px">
			Hagley Oval, Christchurch
			</td>
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			12:00 PM
			</td>
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			3rd T20I
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			October 27
			</td>
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			Hnry Stadium, Wellington
			</td>
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			12:00 PM
			</td>
		</tr>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:148px">
			4th T20I&nbsp;
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			October 30
			</td>
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			Eden Park, Auckland
			</td>
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			12:00 PM
			</td>
		</tr>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:148px">
			5th T20I&nbsp;
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			November 1
			</td>
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			Seddon Park, Hamilton
			</td>
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			12:00 PM
			</td>
		</tr>
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			1st ODI
			</td>
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			November 4
			</td>
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			Eden Park, Auckland
			</td>
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			7:00 AM
			</td>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:148px">
			2nd ODI&nbsp;
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			November 7
			</td>
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			Hnry Stadium, Wellington
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:114px">
			7:00 AM
			</td>
		</tr>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:148px">
			3rd ODI&nbsp;
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			November 10
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:193px">
			Seddon Park, Hamilton
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:114px">
			7:00 AM
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:148px">
			4th ODI&nbsp;
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			November 13
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:193px">
			Bay Oval, Tauranga
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:114px">
			7:00 AM
			</td>
		</tr>
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			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:148px">
			5th ODI&nbsp;
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			November 15
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:193px">
			Bay Oval, Tauranga
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:114px">
			7:00 AM
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:148px">
			1st Test
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			November 19&ndash;23
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:193px">
			Basin Reserve, Wellington
			</td>
			<td style="border-bottom:1px solid #dcdfe5; border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:114px">
			3:00 AM
			</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:148px">
			2nd Test
			</td>
			<td style="border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:142px">
			Nov 27&ndash;Dec 1
			</td>
			<td style="border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:193px">
			Hagley Oval, Christchurch
			</td>
			<td style="border-top:1px solid #dcdfe5; vertical-align:top; width:114px">
			3:00 AM
			</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

<h2>India Tour of New Zealand 2026 Official Squads</h2>

Strategists from both setups have prioritised technical adjustments tailored specifically to handling the extra bounce and swing typical of early summer pitches across the South and North Islands.

<h3>India T20I Squad</h3>

Shreyas Iyer (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

<h3>New Zealand T20I Squad</h3>

Mitchell Santner (c), Devon Conway (wk), Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Bevon Jacobs, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Blair Tickner.

<h3>ODI &amp; Test Squads</h3>

For the subsequent five-match ODI series and the critical two-match Test series, the complete operational squads will be managed continuously through the tour by the selection committees.

<h2>Strategic Preview and Pitch Analysis</h2>

Navigating an early-season tour in New Zealand tests a team&#39;s adaptation skills to the absolute limit. Hagley Oval and the Basin Reserve traditionally present bright green surfaces that offer considerable seam movement and carry during the first two sessions.

India&rsquo;s batting blueprint will rely on how the top order negotiates the movement from New Zealand&#39;s pace battery. Conversely, the smaller straight boundaries at Eden Park in Auckland are bound to reward aggressive vertical bat shots, meaning the five-match T20I series will function as a fast-paced tactical chess match.

<h2>Critical Implications and Importance of the New Zealand vs India Schedule</h2>

This dense layout of fixtures carries immense weight across the international cricket calendar, serving as a vital proving ground for both nations. Beyond the fierce historical rivalry, the two-match Test leg stands as a paramount battleground for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), where precious points will directly shape the road to the finals.&nbsp;

For India, navigating the challenging, swing-friendly Kiwi conditions so early in the itinerary is a definitive test of their overseas caliber and technical resilience. Meanwhile, the extensive 10-match white-ball segment offers both teams a crucial opportunity to test tactical combinations, blood young talent, and solidify their global rankings.

<h2>Watch India Tour of New Zealand Live on tapmad</h2>

Cricket fans in Pakistan and Bangladesh can catch every ball of this highly anticipated tour live and uninterrupted. The entire New Zealand vs India bilateral series, spanning all five T20Is, five ODIs, and both critical Test matches, will be streamed exclusively on <a href="https://www.tapmad.com/">tapmad</a>.&nbsp;

Offering seamless ad-free streaming in high definition, the platform ensures you won&#39;t miss a single moment of action from the opening delivery at Hagley Oval to the final wicket of the Test series.

Check the complete New Zealand vs India schedule featuring 5 T20Is, 5 ODIs, and 2 Tests, along with official squads and venue details.

New Zealand vs India Schedule: Full Fixtures and Squads

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India Tour of New Zealand 2026

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