Chasing a target of 338, India were bowled out for 296 despite a fighting century from Virat Kohli, who scored 124 off 108 balls. Harshit Rana’s maiden ODI fifty also kept the hosts in the contest, but early wickets and a lack of support cost them the game. Earlier, New Zealand posted 337/8, courtesy of centuries from Daryl Mitchell (137) and Glenn Phillips (106). India’s bowlers struggled to contain the middle overs, allowing the visitors to build an important partnership.

Zee Archive: How Vajpayee Took India’s Most Courageous Defense Step

  • The New Zealand tour of India gets underway on January 11, 2026, with the final fixture scheduled for January 31, 2026.
  • Cricket fans are eagerly waiting to see how both sides perform in this crucial encounter.
  • The five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand will get underway on January 21.
  • October begins with Australia in New Zealand for three T20Is (Oct 1–4), while India host West Indies in two Tests (Oct 2 & 10).
  • Chasing a target of 338, India were bowled out for 296 despite a fighting century from Virat Kohli, who scored 124 off 108 balls.

As of late 2025, the two sides have faced off in 119 matches, with India securing 61 victories compared to New Zealand’s 50. Their rivalry is defined by parity in ICC events, though India has dominated recent bilateral series. As the Indian cricket team continues its dominance on the global stage, all eyes shift to the upcoming New Zealand Tour of India 2026. Across formats, the two sides will contest eight matches during the Newzealand Tour of India.

India T20 World Cup 2026 schedule: Match dates, venues, group and key fixtures

The tour features a combination of three One-Day Internationals and cricket schedule five Twenty20 Internationals, all hosted on Indian soil. The ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 kicks off on January 15 in Zimbabwe and Namibia, featuring 16 teams battling through group stages, Super Sixes and the knockout stage on February 6. The entire series will be staged across multiple venues in India, covering different regions of the country. The New Zealand tour of India gets underway on January 11, 2026, with the final fixture scheduled for January 31, 2026. ODI action unfolds on January 11, 14 and 18, with fixtures set in Vadodara, Rajkot and Indore.

Veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will not be part of the T20I action, having retired from the shortest format in 2024. Their next competitive appearances will come in the Indian Premier League, which runs from March 26 to May 31. Kohli will represent the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while Rohit Sharma will lead the Mumbai Indians in his hunt for a sixth IPL title.

India’s dominance in familiar conditions poses a stern challenge for New Zealand, who will be eager to build confidence. New Zealand’s India tour in 2026 is particularly significant for Vadodara, which is set to host its first men’s international match in over 15 years. India and New Zealand will face each other in five T20I matches across different venues in India. October begins with Australia in New Zealand for three T20Is (Oct 1–4), while India host West Indies in two Tests (Oct 2 & 10). England tour New Zealand for three T20Is and three ODIs (Oct 18–Nov 1), overlapping with India’s white-ball tour of Australia (3 ODIs from Oct 19–25, 5 T20Is from Oct 29–Nov 8). Cricket fans are eagerly waiting to see how both sides perform in this crucial encounter.

Semifinals are scheduled on February 3 and 4, while Harare Sports Club hosts the final on February 6. Iyer last participated in a T20I in December 2023 against Australia at home, before being sidelined from India’s plans in this format. He has not played any T20 cricket since last year’s IPL final and also missed the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy while recovering from a spleen injury. The batter has returned to domestic cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Mumbai and is currently playing in the ongoing ODI series. Follow ball-by-ball updates, live commentary, and scorecards for all ongoing matches, including detailed stats for batsmen, bowlers, and key partnerships.

With both teams looking to fine-tune their combinations, the battle between India’s formidable batting lineup and the Black Caps’ disciplined bowling unit will be a treat for cricket enthusiasts worldwide. This high-octane white-ball series is set to be a crucial preparation ground for both teams ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Group stage runs January across four pools of 4 teams, with top 2 sides from each group advancing to the Super Six stage.