India and New Zealand are set to lock horns in the first T20I of a five-match series on Wednesday in Nagpur, marking the start of a crucial phase in both teams’ build-up to the T20I World Cup 2026. This assignment is highly crucial for both teams, as it comes just weeks before the marquee event. The T20I World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on February 7, will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
New Zealand will have a massive advantage to get themselves acclimatised to the conditions in India ahead of the World Cup. As far as India are concerned, the series presents an opportunity to regain momentum after a disappointing 2–1 defeat in the preceding ODI series against the Black Caps. The Indian contingent will be keen to iron out flaws as they enter the final leg of preparations for their T20 World Cup title defence.
Moreover, they have the home advantage that they will look to exploit and reassert dominance. India will also draw confidence from their recent T20I form. They registered a convincing 3–1 series win over South Africa in a five-match series at home. Now, the only task for India is to get themselves in rhythm ahead of the high-profile World Cup.
New Zealand also head into the T20I series with a wave of success. The Black Caps were dominant in their last T20I assignment, thrashing West Indies 3–1 in a five-match home series. This tour will offer them valuable match practice against highly talented and defending champions India.
Head-to-head
Matches - 25
IND won - 15
NZ won - 10
India likely XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy
New Zealand likely XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner (c), Rachin Ravindra, James Neesham, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi