The New Zealand cricket team’s 2026 tour of India has delivered high-voltage action, blending exciting performances, historic undertones and a tight contest between two top-ranked limited-overs sides. The tour — comprising three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) followed by five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) — is not just about results but also about momentum building ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and the Indian home season.

Series Schedule: Dates, Venues and Format

The tour kicked off in January 2026 and is scheduled to run until the end of the month, featuring both ODI and T20I formats:

ODI Series (3 matches):

• 1st ODI: January 11, 2026 — Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
• 2nd ODI: January 14, 2026 — Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot
• 3rd ODI: January 18, 2026 — Holkar Stadium, Indore

T20I Series (5 matches):

• 1st T20I: January 21, 2026 — Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
• 2nd T20I: January 23, 2026 — Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur
• 3rd T20I: January 25, 2026 — Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
• 4th T20I: January 28, 2026 — ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam
• 5th T20I: January 31, 2026 — Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram

This format allows both teams to test combinations and build momentum across white-ball cricket formats with India preparing for global commitments later in the year.

ODI Series Results So Far

1st ODI (Vadodara – January 11):
India chased down 300/8 in a competitive contest, finishing on 306/6 with contributions from key batters, securing a four-wicket victory.

2nd ODI (Rajkot – January 14):
New Zealand responded emphatically with a seven-wicket win, chasing India’s 284/7 with 286/3 on the board. Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 131 stood out as a match-defining innings as the series was levelled 1-1.

3rd ODI (Indore – January 18):
The series decider is underway at Holkar Stadium in Indore, with New Zealand batting first after India elected to bowl. The match has captured attention not only for its result implications but also for tactical battles in batting and bowling.

Key Performances and Milestones

• Daryl Mitchell (NZ) played a pivotal role in Rajkot, scoring an unbeaten 131 that helped New Zealand level the ODI series. 
• KL Rahul (IND) became the first Indian wicket-keeper to score an ODI century against New Zealand, marking a notable record during the 2nd ODI at Rajkot. 
• Virat Kohli (IND) showcased his enduring class with a crucial inning in Vadodara, driving India to victory in the first ODI. 
• Ravindra Jadeja (IND) made headlines in Indore with an eye-catching flying-eagle style catch, highlighting the spirited fielding throughout the tour. 

Historical Context: NZ’s Hunt for First ODI Series Win in India

New Zealand has LONG struggled to secure an ODI series victory on Indian soil. Despite competing in multiple bilateral series since 1989, the Black Caps have never won a full ODI series in India — a unique challenge they are attempting to overcome in 2026. 

Achieving this feat would be historic, especially considering New Zealand’s strong cricketing pedigree and adaptability across formats.

How Fans Can Follow the Series

The tour is widely covered across broadcast and streaming platforms:

• Star Sports & Disney+ Hotstar (India)
• Willow TV / Sling TV (USA)
• Sky Sport (New Zealand)
• TNT Sports (UK & Europe)
• Fox Sports / Kayo (Australia) 

Live telecasts, highlights, expert analysis, and on-field commentary ensure fans never miss a moment from this high-stakes bilateral showdown.

Rankings and Bigger Picture Impact

Beyond wins and losses, the series carries ranking implications, especially in ODIs, where both India and New Zealand are competing closely for top positions ahead of global tournaments.

A series win for New Zealand would be particularly significant, not only historically but also in terms of:

• Confidence against Asian conditions
• Momentum heading into future ICC events
• Breaking long-standing away-series narratives

For India, maintaining home dominance remains crucial to reinforcing their status as one of the most formidable limited-overs sides in the world.

What the Tour Means for Cricket

This tour is more than a series of matches — it’s a benchmark for both teams’ T20 and ODI preparations ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 later in the year. India’s depth in batting and bowling is being tested, while New Zealand’s evolving squad — featuring emerging players and seasoned performers — aims to consolidate confidence against strong opposition in foreign conditions.

For Indian fans, the series provides a chance to see both established stars and rising talents perform at home. For New Zealand, it is an opportunity to write history by winning their first ODI series on Indian soil — a narrative that has kept cricket fans engaged throughout the tour.