IND vs NZ: New Zealand Cricket has announced a packed 2026-27 home season. It includes a major tour from India. The tour will run from October 22 to December 1 and will include five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests. It will be the largest inbound international tour in New Zealand cricket history, with 12 matches scheduled across the country’s main venues.
The tour begins with back-to-back T20Is at Hagley Oval on October 22 and 24. The first Test will be played at Basin Reserve from November 19, while the second Test starts on November 27 at Hagley Oval.
New Zealand Cricket expects huge interest in the series. Officials described the tour as a special occasion that goes beyond cricket and celebrates 100 years of sporting ties between New Zealand and India. Fans are expected to turn out in large numbers, especially with stars such as Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah likely to be part of the tour.
The rivalry between the two teams has produced several memorable moments. New Zealand defeated India in the semi-final of the 2019 Cricket World Cup. They later won the 2021 World Test Championship final. India has since beaten New Zealand in major ICC events. Such as the 2023 World Cup semi-final, the 2024 Champions Trophy final, and the 2026 T20 World Cup final. New Zealand also made history by sweeping India 3-0 in a Test series in India. And later won its first ODI series on Indian soil in early 2026.
The home summer will also feature the White Ferns hosting Bangladesh in three T20Is and three ODIs from December 10 to 23. The matches will be played in Nelson, Wellington, and Tauranga. The series will help New Zealand prepare for the first ICC Women’s Champions Trophy, which is scheduled for February.
The Black Caps will then host Sri Lanka in three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests during January and February. The season will finish with Tests at Bay Oval and Seddon Park.
The India tour will also mark the return of Sky as New Zealand Cricket’s host broadcaster under a new six-year agreement. With strong demand expected, fans have been encouraged to register early for ticket pre-sales.
India Set for Historic 12-Match New Zealand Tour Across All Formats in 2026
India will tour New Zealand for a full-format series from October to December 2026. The tour includes five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests.
This will be India’s first all-format tour of New Zealand since the 2019-20 season. It is only the third time the two countries will play a full tour across all three formats, following tours in 2008-09 and 2019-20.
The T20I series begins on October 22 at Hagley Oval. The matches will then move to Wellington, Auckland, and Hamilton.
The ODI series starts on November 4. Matches will be played at Eden Park, Hnry Stadium, Seddon Park, and Bay Oval.
The Test series begins at Basin Reserve from November 19 to 23. The second Test will be played at Hagley Oval from November 27 to December 1.
The tour could be important for experienced Indian stars such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The five-match ODI series will provide valuable preparation ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
The two teams last met in T20I cricket in the 2026 T20 World Cup final. Earlier in 2026, New Zealand toured India for eight white-ball matches. New Zealand won the ODI series 2-1 but lost the T20I series 4-1.
| Match No. | Fixture | Venue | Date | IT’S time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand vs India – 1st T20I | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 22 Oct 2026 (Dead) | 12:30 PM |
| 2 | New Zealand vs India – 2nd T20I | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 24 Oct 2026 (Sat) | 12:30 PM |
| 3 | New Zealand vs India – 3rd T20I | Hnry Stadium, Wellington | 27 Oct 2026 (Tue) | 12:30 PM |
| 4 | New Zealand vs India – 4th T20I | Eden Park, Auckland | 30 Oct 2026 (Fri) | 12:30 PM |
| 5 | New Zealand vs India – 5th T20I | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 1 Nov 2026 (Sun) | 12:30 PM |
| 6 | New Zealand vs India – 1st ODI | Eden Park, Auckland | 4 Nov 2026 (Wed) | 7:30 AM |
| 7 | New Zealand vs India – 2nd ODI | Hnry Stadium, Wellington | 7 Nov 2026 (Sat) | 7:30 AM |
| 8 | New Zealand vs India – 3rd ODI | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 10 Nov 2026 (Tue) | 7:30 AM |
| 9 | New Zealand vs India – 4th ODI | Bay Oval, Tauranga | 13 Nov 2026 (Fri) | 7:30 AM |
| 10 | New Zealand vs India – 5th ODI | Bay Oval, Tauranga | 15 Nov 2026 (Sun) | 7:30 AM |
| 11 | New Zealand vs India – 1st Test | Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington | 19–23 Nov 2026 | 3:30 AM |
| 12 | New Zealand vs India – 2nd Test | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 27 Nov–1 Dec 2026 | 3:30 AM |
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma Likely to Feature in IND vs NZ ODI Series
There is a strong chance New Zealand fans will get to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during India’s tour later this year.
Both players have retired from Test and T20I cricket and now play only ODIs for India. Because the tour includes a five-match ODI series, they are expected to be available for selection if fit.
The ODI series could be an important part of India’s preparation for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. With the tournament less than a year away, every ODI will be valuable for senior players such as Kohli and Rohit.
New Zealand Cricket has already highlighted the possibility of some of India’s biggest stars taking part. Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Glenn Critchley mentioned Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah when discussing the expected excitement around the tour.
The popularity of Kohli remains huge around the world. The Indian batting star has scored 85 international centuries and is chasing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international hundreds. In ODI cricket, Kohli has scored nearly 15,000 runs and owns 54 centuries.
Rohit is also one of the most successful ODI batters of his generation. He has scored more than 11,500 ODI runs and has 33 centuries to his name.
The five ODIs against New Zealand could be among the biggest attractions of the tour. For many fans, it may be a rare chance to watch Kohli and Rohit in international cricket as they move closer to the final stage of their careers.
FAQs
Q. When will India tour New Zealand in 2026?
A. India will tour New Zealand from October 22 to December 1, 2026.
Q. How many matches will be played during the tour?
A. The tour will feature 12 matches: five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests.
Q. Where will the Test matches be played?
A. The first Test will be at Basin Reserve in Wellington from November 19-23. The second Test will be at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from November 27-December 1.
Q. Why is this tour important for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma?
A. The five-match ODI series will help prepare for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Q. Why is the India tour special for New Zealand Cricket?
A. It celebrates 100 years of sporting ties between India and New Zealand.
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