India and New Zealand will lock horns in the first T20I of the five-match series on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. After a closely fought ODI series that ended in favour of the visitors, the hosts will look to regain momentum in the shortest format. This series also serves as a crucial warm-up for India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Match Details: IND vs NZ
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | New Zealand Tour of India 2026 |
| Match | India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I |
| Date | Wednesday, 21 January 2026 |
| Time | 07:00 PM IST |
| Toss Time | 06:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium |
| City | Nagpur |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar, FanCode |
| Live Telecast | Star Sports Network, DD Sports |
Match Preview
India have been in exceptional form in T20 cricket ever since their T20 World Cup triumph in 2024. Under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir, India’s dominance in this format has been impressive, with the side yet to lose a T20I series. The Suryakumar Yadav-led unit will be keen to continue their winning streak and use this series to fine-tune their combination ahead of the global event.
New Zealand come into this series after a comfortable home victory against the West Indies in their last T20 assignment. However, their record against India in Indian conditions has not been the strongest, which adds extra challenge to their campaign. Still, the Black Caps boast a well-rounded squad capable of challenging India with both bat and ball, making the opening clash an exciting contest.
Head-to-Head Record: IND vs NZ
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| India (IND) | 14 |
| New Zealand (NZ) | 10 |
| No Result / Tied | 1 |
India hold a slight edge over New Zealand in T20Is, especially in home conditions.
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Weather & Pitch Report: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
- Weather Report: The weather forecast for Nagpur suggests clear skies with no rain, ensuring the match will proceed without interruptions. The conditions are expected to be ideal for a full T20 game.
- Pitch Report: The pitch at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium traditionally offers assistance to bowlers, especially spinners, who can extract turn and bounce. As the match progresses, the surface tends to slow down, making batting in the second innings more challenging. The average first-innings score at this venue is around 146 runs, which indicates a balanced surface with a slight edge for bowlers.
Probable Playing 11
India (IND) Playing 11
1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Sanju Samson (wk), 3. Suryakumar Yadav (c), 4. Ishan Kishan, 5. Shivam Dube, 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Axar Patel, 8. Harshit Rana, 9. Jasprit Bumrah, 10. Arshdeep Singh, 11. Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand (NZ) Playing 11
1. Devon Conway (wk), 2. Rachin Ravindra, 3. Tim Robinson, 4. Mark Chapman, 5. Daryl Mitchell, 6. Bevon Jacobs, 7. Mitchell Santner (c), 8. Ish Sodhi, 9. Jacob Duffy, 10. Kyle Jamieson, 11. Matt Henry
Who Will Win Today’s Match? (AI Prediction)
Both teams have strong lineups and the contest is expected to be close. However, considering the home advantage, strong spin bowling options, and recent T20I dominance, India is likely to win the first T20I in Nagpur.
AI Match Prediction: India are likely to win the 1st T20I against New Zealand at Nagpur.
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