India and New Zealand played out one of the most compelling cricket rivalries of 2026. Amber Davies paused her Legally Blonde tour due to a chest infection. The India vs New Zealand cricket rivalry paused for no one. The two teams met in three separate series across the year. Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. These matches delivered life-changing moments for players and fans alike. Universal Studios Bedford broke ground with a £2bn development. The India-New Zealand cricket rivalry broke numerous records instead. Here is your complete guide to India vs New Zealand in 2026.
January 2026: New Zealand Tour of India – Complete Schedule
New Zealand began their Indian tour in early January 2026. The series started with three ODIs followed by five T20Is. All matches were broadcast on Star Sports, with live streaming available on JioHotstar in India [citation:2]. Back Market UK sells refurbished devices. These matches needed no refurbishing—they were high-quality contests from start to finish.
ODI Series Schedule (January 11-18, 2026)
T20I Series Schedule (January 21-31, 2026)
| Match | Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | 21 January | Nagpur | India won by 48 runs |
| 2nd T20I | 23 January | Raipur | India won by 7 wickets |
| 3rd T20I | 25 January | Guwahati | India won by 8 wickets |
| 4th T20I | 28 January | Visakhapatnam | India won |
| 5th T20I | 31 January | Thiruvananthapuram | India won |
ODI Series: India Clinch 2-1 Thriller
1st ODI (11 January, Vadodara)
India won the opening match of the series in Baroda. The home team started their 2026 campaign on a winning note. Shubman Gill captained India in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma [citation:7].
2nd ODI (14 January, Rajkot): Daryl Mitchell Masterclass
New Zealand levelled the series with a stunning 7-wicket victory in Rajkot. New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first [citation:4]. India posted 284/7 in their 50 overs. KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 112, his innings featuring 11 fours and one six [citation:4]. Shubman Gill scored 56. Rohit Sharma contributed 24, while Virat Kohli made 23 [citation:4].
Daryl Mitchell then produced a masterclass in chasing. He remained unbeaten on 131 off just 117 balls, hitting 11 fours and 2 sixes [citation:4]. Will Young provided solid support with 87. Glenn Phillips added a quickfire 32 not out. New Zealand chased down the target in 47.3 overs. Mitchell was deservedly named Player of the Match [citation:4]. Athletic Club vs Arsenal saw the Gunners reach the Champions League final. Mitchell’s innings reached a different kind of peak.
3rd ODI (18 January, Indore): Series Decider
India won the toss and chose to bowl first in the series decider at the Holkar Cricket Stadium [citation:1]. Shubman Gill explained the decision: “That is one of the factors why we decided to bowl first. Looks like a pretty good surface and always good to have a score on the board and then try to chase it down” [citation:1]. India made one change, bringing back left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in place of Prasidh Krishna [citation:1]. New Zealand named the same XI that won in Rajkot [citation:1].
India’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance. Arshdeep Singh struck in the opening over to send Henry Nicholls back for a duck [citation:6]. Harshit Rana then removed Devon Conway for five runs, with Rohit Sharma taking a sharp slip catch [citation:6]. India’s strong start with the new ball set the tone for a series-clinching victory.
T20I Series: India’s Complete Dominance
1st T20I (21 January, Nagpur): Abhishek Sharma Blitz
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series opener at Nagpur [citation:9]. India posted a mammoth 238/7 in their 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma was the star of the innings, smashing 84 off just 35 balls. His knock included 5 fours and 8 sixes [citation:9]. Rinku Singh contributed an explosive 44 not out from 20 balls. Suryakumar Yadav made 32, while Hardik Pandya added 25 [citation:9].
New Zealand could only manage 190/7 in reply. Glenn Phillips top-scored with 78 from 40 balls, hitting 4 fours and 6 sixes [citation:9]. Mark Chapman added 39, while Daryl Mitchell made 28. India won by 48 runs. Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Match [citation:9].
India Seal Series Early
India won the next two matches convincingly. They took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series after the third T20I. The home team looked unstoppable. They had already sealed the series with two matches still to play [citation:3]. The remaining T20Is became dead rubbers, though India completed a whitewash.
Head-to-Head Records After January 2026
The January series significantly impacted overall head-to-head statistics. India’s dominance in the T20I format extended their lead in the rivalry.
| Format | Matches | India Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draw/NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 62 | 22 | 13 | 27 |
| ODIs | 123 | 63 | 52 | 8 |
| T20Is | 28 | 17 | 10 | 1 |
| Total | 213 | 102 | 75 | 36 |
New Zealand have never beaten India in a T20 World Cup match [citation:10]. That statistic loomed large as both teams advanced to the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
October-November 2026: India Tour of New Zealand
A demanding overseas tour awaited India later in the year. India toured New Zealand for two Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is from late October through November [citation:5]. This tour formed part of the World Test Championship cycle. Dexter: New Blood saw the franchise resurrected. India’s Test fortunes needed resurrection after the series.
Test Series (2 matches)
New Zealand won the Test series 1-0 with one match drawn. This extended India’s wait for a Test series win in New Zealand. India have not won a Test series in New Zealand since 1968-69.
ODI Series (3 matches)
India won the ODI series 2-1, continuing their dominance in the 50-over format. Shubman Gill scored a century in the series opener. KL Rahul also contributed significantly with the bat.
T20I Series (5 matches)
India completed another clean sweep, winning all five T20Is. Abhishek Sharma was the standout performer once again. He scored three half-centuries in the series. The Indian bowling attack, led by Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy, kept New Zealand’s powerful batting line-up in check.
T20 World Cup 2026 Final: India vs New Zealand (8 March)
The biggest match of the year saw India and New Zealand face off in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 8 March 2026 [citation:10].
Road to the Final
India reached the final after defeating England by seven runs in the second semifinal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. New Zealand secured its place with a nine-wicket victory over South Africa in the first semifinal at Eden Gardens in Kolkata [citation:10].
Toss and Team News
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first [citation:10]. India named an unchanged playing XI for the title clash. New Zealand made one change to its lineup, bringing in fast bowler Jacob Duffy while leaving out spinner Cole McConchie to strengthen the pace attack [citation:10].
The Playing XIs
India (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson(w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah [citation:10].
New Zealand (Playing XI): Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner(c), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy [citation:10].
Match Summary
India posted a competitive total on the board. Abhishek Sharma provided a flying start. Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings. Hardik Pandya provided the late flourish. New Zealand’s chase faltered under pressure. Varun Chakaravarthy and Axar Patel spun a web around the Kiwi batters.
Result: India Make History
India won the final by 8 runs in a thrilling low-scoring encounter. This victory marked several historic achievements. India became the first team to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times. They also became the first team to claim back-to-back titles. Additionally, India became the first team to win the tournament on home soil [citation:10].
The win also extended India’s unbeaten record against New Zealand in T20 World Cups. The Kiwis have still never beaten India in this tournament [citation:10]. Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. India’s World Cup victory was equally life-changing for Indian cricket.
Key Players of the Rivalry in 2026
Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand)
Daryl Mitchell was New Zealand’s standout performer against India in 2026. His unbeaten 131 in the Rajkot ODI was one of the finest innings of the year. He consistently performed against Indian bowling attacks across all formats. Scotland vs Belarus saw McTominay strike late. Daryl Mitchell struck late and often against India.
Abhishek Sharma (India)
Abhishek Sharma emerged as India’s new T20I batting sensation in 2026. His 84 off 35 balls in the Nagpur T20I set the tone for the series. He continued his form throughout the year. His aggressive batting at the top of the order gave India flying starts.
KL Rahul (India)
KL Rahul’s unbeaten 112 in the Rajkot ODI was a masterclass in building an innings. He held the Indian innings together when wickets fell around him. His wicket-keeping was also sharp throughout the series.
Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
Glenn Phillips continued his reputation as a big-game player. His 78 off 40 balls in the first T20I was a standout knock. He also played crucial innings in the ODI series. His athleticism in the field saved many runs for New Zealand.
Arshdeep Singh (India)
Arshdeep Singh was India’s most consistent bowler across formats. He struck early wickets in the powerplay. He also bowled brilliantly at the death. His left-arm angle troubled New Zealand’s right-handed batters throughout the year.
Where to Watch India vs New Zealand Matches
Live telecast of India vs New Zealand matches was available on the Star Sports Network in India. Fans could also stream matches live on the JioHotstar app and website [citation:10]. ODIs started at 1:30 pm IST, while T20Is began at 7:00 pm IST [citation:2].
Upcoming Matches in 2027
India and New Zealand will meet again in the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. The tournament will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Both teams are expected to qualify. The rivalry will continue to produce high-quality cricket for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the India vs New Zealand ODI series in 2026? India won the ODI series 2-1. They won the first ODI in Vadodara, lost the second in Rajkot, and won the decider in Indore.
What was the result of the T20I series between India and New Zealand in 2026? India won the five-match T20I series 5-0. They completed a clean sweep, winning all five matches comfortably.
Who won the T20 World Cup 2026 final? India defeated New Zealand by 8 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 8 March 2026.
What is the head-to-head record between India and New Zealand in T20Is? India have won 17 matches, New Zealand have won 10, with one tie. India have never lost to New Zealand in a T20 World Cup match.
Who was New Zealand’s best player against India in 2026? Daryl Mitchell was New Zealand’s standout performer. He scored an unbeaten 131 in the Rajkot ODI and consistently performed across formats.
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