India begin their tour of New Zealand on Thursday, 22 October 2026, when the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I gets underway at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The five-match T20I series opens a packed all-format tour featuring five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests, and both sides have plenty to prove.
The India vs New Zealand 1st T20I starts at 12:30 PM IST (12:00 PM PKT), with the toss at 12:00 PM IST. For Pakistani cricket fans, the afternoon timing makes the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I an easy watch — and with both teams naming exciting squads, the series opener promises high-quality T20 cricket.
Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I at Hagley Oval. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
India vs New Zealand 1st T20I: Date, Time and Venue
The India vs New Zealand 1st T20I will be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Thursday 22 October 2026. The same venue hosts the second T20I on 24 October, before the series moves to Wellington (27 October), Auckland (30 October) and Hamilton (1 November) for the final three matches.
All five T20Is start at 12:30 PM IST, which is 12:00 noon Pakistan time — unusually fan-friendly timing for a New Zealand home series, where evening starts are the norm. The Blackcaps confirmed the unusual afternoon scheduling on social media, announcing that the “Hero VIDA T20I series, Powered by AI+ Nova Smartphone kicks off tomorrow night at 8pm” local time.
After the T20Is, the tour continues with five ODIs from 4 to 15 November and two Tests from 19 November to 1 December, making this one of the longest bilateral tours of the season.
T20 cricket at Hagley Oval: the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I starts at 12:00 PM PKT on 22 October. (Photo: WION)
India Squad: Shreyas Iyer Leads, Bumrah Rested
India will be led by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma as his deputy. The squad blends established stars with exciting young talent: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy headline the senior core, while 18-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi gets another opportunity on the big stage.
India squad: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dheer, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
The big talking point is the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested — and India felt his absence in recent outings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been recalled to add experience to the pace attack. Captain Iyer admitted to a “sweet headache” over selection, saying the bench strength motivates the playing XI to perform consistently.
New Zealand Squad: Santner Leads Strong Home Side
New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, have named a powerful squad full of T20 specialists: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson. Mark Chapman and Jack Foulkes will miss the series through injury.
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Jack Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevan Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith.
The Blackcaps will be quietly confident. India arrived in New Zealand with barely a day to acclimatise — one training session at Hagley Oval before the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I — and a similar rushed schedule contributed to India’s shock 2-0 T20I defeat in Ireland earlier this year. Add the absence of Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, and New Zealand sense an opening.
Cricket fever grips South Asia as the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I approaches. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Head-to-Head and What the Experts Say
India have an excellent recent record in New Zealand in the shortest format — unbeaten in their last eight T20Is in the country, including a 5-0 whitewash on the 2020 tour. But New Zealand’s home conditions — heavy winds, drop-in pitches and uniquely shaped grounds — have historically troubled visiting batters.
Batting great Sunil Gavaskar believes India’s top four can score heavily if the weather stays fair, but warned that overcast skies and swing could test the visitors’ technique. Eyes will be on Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, both in destructive form, while for New Zealand the explosive Finn Allen at home is the danger man.
The key battle in the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I could be India’s inexperienced pace attack against New Zealand’s power-hitters in the powerplay — and Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy’s mystery spin against New Zealand’s middle order.
A packed crowd is expected as New Zealand begin their home summer against India. (Photo: Rediff)
India vs New Zealand 1st T20I: Live Streaming and TV Channels
For Indian viewers, the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network television channels, with live streaming on the SonyLIV app and website. In Pakistan, fans can follow the series on PTV Sports and leading streaming platforms — check local listings closer to the toss for confirmed broadcast details.
The India vs New Zealand 1st T20I is more than a series opener: with a long tour ahead and both teams building toward future ICC events, the five T20Is will shape selection debates for months. Christchurch gets the first word on Thursday — and if recent history is any guide, expect fireworks.
India trained at Hagley Oval ahead of the India vs New Zealand 1st T20I. (Photo: Ministry of Sport)
Sources: Times Now (21 October 2026); ESPNcricinfo (21 October 2026). Related on UrduPro: Pakistan vs New Zealand 2026 series coverage.
Written by UrduPro Sports Desk. The UrduPro Sports Desk covers cricket, football and all major sporting events. Squads and timings are as announced on 21 October 2026 and subject to change.
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