Sanju Samson’s double century has propelled India back into contention in the India National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline, and they’re just one win away from becoming the first host nation ever to lift a T20 World Cup title. Jasprit Bumrah has strangled New Zealand batsmen at the death while Ishan Kishan and Varun Chakravarthy have proven reliable for India as hosts.
| Date | Match | Venue | Result | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Mar 2026 | T20 World Cup Final | Ahmedabad | India won by 96 runs | India 255/5, NZ 159; dominant title win |
| 23 Jan 2026 | 2nd T20I | Raipur | India won by 7 wickets | India 209/3 chased 208 easily |
| 21 Jan 2026 | 1st T20I | Nagpur | India won by 48 runs | India 238/7, strong batting display |
| 18 Jan 2026 | 3rd ODI | Indore | New Zealand won by 41 runs | NZ 337/8 vs IND 296 |
| 14 Jan 2026 | 2nd ODI | Rajkot | New Zealand won by 7 wickets | NZ chased 286 comfortably |
T20Is
New Zealand and India will renew their longstanding rivalry in T20 format when they meet for five T20Is on a tour beginning January 23. Kane Williamson-led Black Caps will aim to recover after finishing runners-up at last month’s 50-over World Cup; second ranked India will look to keep their excellent run going at home.
Host India took control of the four-match ODI series convincingly and are confident they can repeat that performance when T20s begin on Sunday at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
Acclimatising to Indian conditions could prove challenging for their opponents as they seek their first victory since 2021.
India will benefit from Rohit Sharma’s return to their squad after being sidelined due to injury during the fifth and final ODI in Mumbai. Trent Boult, Ajaz Patel, as well as Mayank Agarwal will all add depth and versatility to India’s attack.
Indian teams will be led by Prithvi Shaw and Abhishek Sharma while Kedar Jadhav will provide crucial batting support. New Zealand have included Hamish Bennett and Scott Kuggeleijn while Kane Williamson was left off their T20I squad.
Before the T20 series begins in Mumbai, Rohit Sharma is hoping to add to his impressive T20I centuries and set a record for most runs scored by an opening batsman in this format. Shreyas Iyer hit his maiden ODI century against South Africa during previous rounds of games in Mumbai and may join him.
India quickly chased down 257 in the fifth ODI thanks to Iyer’s late surge, easily surpassing New Zealand in chase. Neesham holed out to Ajaz Patel at deep square leg before Bumrah took his remaining wickets to secure victory for India, becoming the first side to ever win three consecutive T20 World Cup titles.
ODIs
India and New Zealand will take part in a five-match ODI series from January 21-31 before competing at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Matches will take place across Vadodara, Rajkot and Indore with both teams fielding squads featuring experienced campaigners as well as promising youngsters.
Rohit Sharma will miss two ODIs due to calf injury, with Mayank Agarwal taking his place. Prithvi Shaw will make his ODI debut after Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out due to shoulder issues. Additionally, Hamish Bennett and Kyle Jamieson will return to New Zealand’s side after being left off during T20Is.
New Zealand will aim to avenge their shocking home Test defeat against India with another strong performance at home in ODIs, although captain Kane Williamson will miss both matches due to a knee injury.
Tim Southee will lead New Zealand at those fixtures while Ross Taylor hopes to add yet another remarkable hundred against them.
Jasprit Bumrah will look to add more wickets against New Zealand than his record total in one-day cricket, while Rahul’s early dominance and Iyer’s late onslaught will play key roles for India as they attempt to whitewash New Zealand.
Tests
India are set to begin their tour of New Zealand from 23 January with a five-match one-day international series and three T20Is.
India are currently second-ranked in ICC ODI rankings and hope to gain victory against Kane Williamson’s Black Caps in an attempt at an undefeated clean sweep against them in these shorter forms of cricket. Jasprit Bumrah hopes for success sweeping through them all without being defeated themselves!
India have selected Prithvi Shaw and Rohit Sharma in their squad for the opening two ODIs against New Zealand, while Hamish Bennett and Kyle Jamieson will make up New Zealand’s squad. Unfortunately Shikhar Dhawan has been ruled out due to shoulder injury.
Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme’s devastating batsmanship propelled New Zealand to an impressive victory in the fourth ODI. New Zealand scored 303/7 from 50 overs before smashing an unbelievable chase of 305/6 from 6 overs, marking it as the highest T20I total ever won by any team. Rohit Sharma joined Brian Lara as fastest left-handed batsmen ever to reach 5000 runs across ODIs.
Kyle Jamieson took three wickets as New Zealand beat India 2-0 at the Basin Fortress and completed their 5-0 series victory with victory at Auckland – opening batsman Tim Southee scoring an astounding century against India!
Final
New Zealand defeated India 5-0 in their five-match T20 series and secured their maiden bilateral ODI series win in India. Rohit Sharma made history by hitting eight sixes in one T20I match, becoming both fastest to 28,000 international runs and first batsman to score 650 sixes internationally – his 61-ball innings was longest by any Indian in T20 international history!
Jasprit Bumrah stood out with two wickets while conceding only 14 runs across his three overs; though Kane Williamson missed his final appearance due to injury he helped his side clinch the series victory by scoring 8 sixes!
Rohit Sharma led India with another impressive century in Napier. With it he became the fastest batsman ever to score 28,000 ODI runs – joining Brian Lara as joint-fastest left-handed batters to do so. Both sides saw massive hitting, yet New Zealand bowlers stood strong to seal victory in an exciting series.
India have included all-rounder Mayank Agarwal for their third ODI match against New Zealand at Delhi while also welcoming back Prithvi Shaw into their squad after Shikhar Dhawan was sidelined through injury. New Zealand have brought Kyle Jamieson, Scott Kuggeleijn and Hamish Bennett as members of their ODI squads.
Rohit Sharma made his 100th ODI appearance, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara to become the world’s second highest run-getter in international cricket. Rohit now joins Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar as left-handed batsmen with 272 career ODI hundreds under his belt.
Vijay Shankar will replace Mahendra Dhoni in Vadodara’s final One-Day International (ODI), set for an estimated crowd of 44,000 spectators. Hardik Pandya remains unfit but may play subject to clearance from BCCI’s Centre of Excellence; only then would he bowl 10 overs in Vadodara.
