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The Indian men’s hockey team is set to tour New Zealand for a three-match Test series from November 19 to 22, 2026, as part of the 2026 India/New Zealand Century of Sporting Unity Event. The series marks 100 years of sporting relations between the two nations, commemorating the Indian Army hockey team’s historic 1926 tour, which featured legendary player Major Dhyan Chand. All three matches will be played at the Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland, with both teams getting an opportunity to mark the milestone through international competition.
India will enter the series with a revamped 20-member squad, as head coach Craig Fulton looks to give younger players valuable exposure while preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Following India’s Asian Champions Trophy triumph, several senior players have been rested, allowing emerging talents and India ‘A’ regulars to step up. Sanjay will lead the side, with Araijeet Singh Hundal, Karthi Selvam and Uttam Singh among the players expected to make an impact. The tour will be an important opportunity for the newcomers to prove themselves and strengthen their chances of becoming regular members of India’s senior setup.
India vs New Zealand Hockey Series 2026: Full Match Schedule, Dates and Timings
All three Tests will be played at the Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
|
Match |
Date |
Day |
Time (NZT) |
Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st Test |
Thursday |
6:30 PM |
11:00 AM |
|
|
2nd Test |
Saturday |
4:00 PM |
8:30 AM |
|
|
3rd Test |
Sunday |
4:00 PM |
8:30 AM |
India vs New Zealand Hockey: Head-to-Head Record and Past Results
India have enjoyed the advantage over New Zealand in their overall men’s hockey head-to-head record, winning 24 of the 44 meetings between the two sides. The Black Sticks have registered 15 victories, while five encounters have ended in draws. However, the rivalry has been much closer at major tournaments, particularly at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, where both teams have won three matches each, with one game ending in a draw. India have also had memorable moments against New Zealand at the Olympics, including a 3-2 victory during their Tokyo 2020 campaign.
Their recent meetings have produced some closely fought contests. India secured back-to-back wins in the FIH Pro League in November 2022, beating New Zealand 4-3 and 7-4 in Bhubaneswar. However, the Black Sticks got the last laugh at the 2023 Men’s Hockey World Cup, knocking India out in the crossover stage after a 3-3 draw in regulation time and a 5-4 victory in the penalty shootout. The rivalry dates back to 1926, when the Indian Army hockey team defeated New Zealand 5-2 in Christchurch, making the upcoming series a fitting celebration of their century-long sporting history.
IND vs NZ Hockey 2026 Live Streaming: Where to Watch in India, New Zealand and Other Countries
Hockey fans looking to follow the India vs New Zealand Century of Sporting Unity Test series will have multiple viewing options across different regions. In India, live streaming is expected to be available through the official Watch.Hockey app and website. However, television broadcast details are yet to be confirmed.
In New Zealand, viewers can follow the action through Sky Sport NZ, with digital access available via Sky Go and Sky Sport Now. Fans in other parts of the world, including the UK, USA and Europe, can also check the Watch.Hockey platform for live coverage of the three-match series. The platform is expected to provide international access, making it easier for hockey followers to catch India’s historic tour.
India vs New Zealand Hockey 2026: Full Squads
Indian Men's Hockey Squad: Mohith HS, Pawan, Sanjay (Captain), Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Sharda Nand Tiwari, Talem Priyobarta, Anmol Ekka, Yashdeep Siwach, Angad Bir Singh, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Rabichandra Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Manmeet Singh, Rosan Kujur, Venkatesh Kenche, Ajeet Yadav, Uttam Singh, Karthi Selvam, Arshdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal.
New Zealand Squad: The Black Sticks’ official squad list for the three-match series is yet to be confirmed. The hosts are expected to announce their team closer to the start of the series.