India will take on New Zealand in the opening T20I of the five‑match series on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
After losing the ODI series, the Men in Blue look to bounce back under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, who replaces Shubman Gill as captain.
Match Date & Time
- Date: January 21, 2026
- Time: 7:00 PM IST
- Toss: 6:30 PM IST
Venue & Pitch Report
The first T20I will be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium, Nagpur. India have won three of their five T20Is at this venue. The pitch traditionally offers balance but has recently provided bounce and assistance to spinners. The last T20I here was in 2022, when India defeated Australia by six wickets.
Team Context
This series serves as the final test for both sides before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. India will miss two key players due to injury for at least the first three matches, making the challenge tougher against a strong New Zealand side.
Live Streaming & Broadcast
Fans can watch the IND vs NZ T20I series live on the JioHotstar app and website (subscription required). On television, matches will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network channels.
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