India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Live: Preview, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Key Stats

India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Live: Preview, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Key Stats

India and New Zealand lock horns in the first T20I of the New Zealand tour of India, 2026, with the opening match set to be played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. With the T20 World Cup 2026 fast approaching, both teams will be keen to fine-tune their combinations and address any remaining gaps.

Match Details

Match: India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I

Date: January 21, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM IST | 1:30 PM GMT

Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

Series: New Zealand tour of India, 2026

Match Preview

India remain one of the most dominant sides in T20Is and have enjoyed an impressive run since lifting the T20 World Cup in 2024. Under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, the team has continued to back an aggressive approach, even while experimenting with its top order.

The return of Sanju Samson to the opening slot alongside Abhishek Sharma brings stability, while Ishan Kishan has been confirmed as India’s No.3 for the opening matches. The middle order, featuring Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh, provides both firepower and finishing strength.

New Zealand, on the other hand, arrive with confidence despite mixed results in the current T20I cycle. The visitors have troubled India in recent years across formats and will be eager to do the same in the shortest format. Captain Mitchell Santner’s return, along with key players recovering from injuries, strengthens their chances.

Pitch Report: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur

Nagpur traditionally offers a black soil surface, which tends to assist bowlers, especially as the match progresses.

The venue has hosted 13 T20Is so far

Big scores have been rare

India have a 2–2 win-loss record at this ground

Notably, India’s lowest T20I score (79) came here against New Zealand in the 2016 T20 World Cup

Expect a competitive contest with bowlers likely to play a major role.

Team News

India

Captain Suryakumar Yadav has put an end to speculation by confirming that Ishan Kishan will bat at No.3 in the first three matches, replacing the injured Tilak Varma. The focus will be on maintaining balance while giving players clarity in their roles.

Probable Playing XI – India
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel / Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

New Zealand

New Zealand welcome back Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry and Mark Chapman from injuries, all of whom are expected to slot straight into the playing XI. The team could also opt for a second spinner depending on conditions.

Probable Playing XI – New Zealand
Tim Robinson, Devon Conway (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (c), Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy

Key Stats to Watch

Jacob Duffy has taken 42 wickets in the current T20I World Cup cycle

• Suryakumar Yadav is yet to score a T20I half-century since November 2024
• Hardik Pandya has scored 142 runs at a strike rate of 186.84 since returning from injury
• Matt Henry leads the world in international wickets since 2023 with 176 scalps
•  

What the Captains Said

Suryakumar Yadav:
“I’ve been batting really well in the nets. The runs will come, but I don’t want to change my identity.”

Mitchell Santner:
“Our recent success in India gives us confidence. The aim is to win the series and prepare strongly for the T20 World Cup 2026.”

Final Word

The opening T20I in Nagpur promises a high-quality contest between two well-matched sides. With World Cup preparations intensifying, both India and New Zealand will treat this series as a crucial test of form, combinations and temperament.

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