India vs New Zealand T20I Series Schedule and Venues
All five T20Is kick off at 7 :00 PM IST, offering prime-time cricket for fans across the country. The action begins in Nagpur and moves through Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and culminates in Thiruvananthapuram - a journey that spans India’s vibrant cricketing landscape.For Indian viewers, Star Sports will telecast the matches live across its network, while digital streaming is available on JioHotstar. Fans abroad can follow legal broadcast partners such as Willow TV in the United States and regional streaming platforms in other territories.
1st T20I
India Tour • 2026📍 Venue: Nagpur
📅 Date: 21 January 2026
⏰ Time: 1:30pm GMT / 8:30am ET / 5:30am PT / 7:00pm IST (local time) 12:30am AEDT / 2:30am NZDT
2nd T20I
📍 Venue: Raipur
📅 Date: 23 January 2026
⏰ Time: 1:30pm GMT / 8:30am ET / 5:30am PT / 7:00pm IST (local time) 12:30am AEDT / 2:30am NZDT
3rd T20I
📍 Venue: Guwahati
📅 Date: 25 January 2026
⏰ Time: 1:30pm GMT / 8:30am ET / 5:30am PT / 7:00pm IST (local time) 12:30am AEDT / 2:30am NZDT
4th T20I
📍 Venue: Visakhapatnam
📅 Date: 28 January 2026
⏰ Time: 1:30pm GMT / 8:30am ET / 5:30am PT / 7:00pm IST (local time) 12:30am AEDT / 2:30am NZDT
5th T20I
📍 Venue: Thiruvananthapuram
📅 Date: 31 January 2026
⏰ Time: 1:30pm GMT / 8:30am ET / 5:30am PT / 7:00pm IST (local time) 12:30am AEDT / 2:30am NZDT
Where and How to Watch
For viewers in India, Star Sports holds the broadcast rights for the series, with matches shown on channels like Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD.On the digital front, fans can stream every ball live online through JioHotstar, India’s leading OTT platform for cricket. Whether it’s on mobile phones, tablets, or Smart TVs, the online coverage keeps fans connected to real-time action with ball-by-ball updates.
For cricket lovers in other territories, legal streaming options may vary by country. In regions like North America and Europe, channels such as Willow TV and platforms like YuppTV often carry international cricket live — available via subscription.
India’s Squad: Blend of Experience and Firepower
India’s T20I squad is built around a mix of seasoned performers and rising talent, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the charge as captain. Known for his inventive batting and tactical nous, Yadav’s leadership will be under the spotlight as he tries to guide India to consistent performances.Key Indian Players
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain) – The stylish middle-order batter brings experience and flair, looking to convert starts into big scores.
- Sanju Samson & Abhishek Sharma – The dynamic opening duo tasked with setting the tone at the top.
- Ishan Kishan – A left-handed force at No. 3, expected to balance aggression with stability.
- Hardik Pandya – India’s all-round x-factor, offering big hits and crucial overs with the ball.
- Axar Patel (Vice-Captain) – The spin-all-rounder who brings control and late-overs hitting.
- Jasprit Bumrah & Arshdeep Singh – The spearheads of India’s pace attack, capable of turning matches with pinpoint accuracy.
- Varun Chakravarthy & Ravi Bishnoi – Wrist-spin specialists expected to thrive in middle overs.
Notable Absences / Changes: Washington Sundar has been ruled out due to a side strain, creating an opening for Ravi Bishnoi and adding depth to India’s spin options. Additionally, Shreyas Iyer has been brought into the squad for the first three T20Is, bolstering the middle order following injuries to other players.
New Zealand’s Squad: Experience Meets New Talent
New Zealand’s squad blends established leaders with players hungry to prove themselves on subcontinent pitches. Mitchell Santner continues as captain, anchoring a balanced side with depth in both batting and bowling.Kiwi Standouts
- Mitchell Santner (Captain) – A calm head in pressure moments, Santner’s all-round skills will be central to New Zealand’s plans.
- Devon Conway (Wicketkeeper Batter) – A classy top-order batter who can set the foundation or accelerate as needed.
- Daryl Mitchell – Coming off strong form in the ODI series, Mitchell’s ability to handle spin could be pivotal.
- Rachin Ravindra & Glenn Phillips – Middle-order contributors with the ability to change momentum with quick runs.
- Kyle Jamieson & Matt Henry – The pace duo that can extract bounce and trouble batters in different phases.
- Ish Sodhi & Zakary Foulkes – Spin options who provide variety and challenge batters on slower decks.
The Kiwis also feature emerging talents like Tim Robinson and Kristian Clarke, the latter known for impactful performances in the ODI leg earlier on the tour.
Playing XI Insights: Nagpur Opener
For the series opener in Nagpur — often referred to as Jamtha Stadium — both teams have hinted at competitive XIs that reflect their strategic priorities:India (Predicted):
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy.New Zealand (Predicted):
Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi.Nagpur’s pitch traditionally offers true bounce with early help for pacers before spinners come into play — a balance that could see both teams deploy a mix of pace and spin depending on match situations.
Why This Series Matters
India enters this series eager to bounce back from a narrow ODI loss and sharpen combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup. With a relatively settled batting order and a potent bowling unit, they are keen to impose themselves early.New Zealand, flush from their recent success, arrive with confidence and adaptability — two traits that make them dangerous opponents in any format. The experience gained in tough Indian conditions could pay dividends in the global tournament ahead.