New Zealand vs India ODI Series 2026: Schedule, Squads & Players

📋 Table of Contents

1. New Zealand vs India ODI Series 2026: Overview
2. India Tour of New Zealand 2026: Complete ODI Schedule
3. India ODI Squad for New Zealand Tour 2026
4. New Zealand ODI Squad for India Series 2026
5. Key Indian Players to Watch in the ODI Series
6. Key New Zealand Players to Watch
7. New Zealand vs India ODI 2026: Head-to-Head Competition
8. Pitch and Weather Conditions in New Zealand
9. Importance of the India vs New Zealand ODI Series 2026
10. Where to Watch New Zealand vs India ODI Series 2026 Live
11. Final Thoughts

The New Zealand vs India ODI Series 2026 promises to be an exciting contest between two of the strongest teams in international cricket. India will travel to New Zealand for a five-match One Day International series as part of their much-anticipated India Tour of New Zealand 2026. The series will begin on November 4, 2026, and conclude on November 15, 2026. Both teams will look to establish their dominance in 50-over cricket and strengthen their preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

India will enter the IND vs NZ ODI 2026 series with experienced players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. New Zealand will depend on Mitchell Santner’s leadership and the performances of experienced players, including Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Devon Conway and Tom Latham. Both teams will aim to deliver strong performances in the India Tour of New Zealand 2026 and secure victories in this exciting five-match ODI series.

The five-match series will feature exciting cricket across Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui. New Zealand will enjoy home conditions, while India will aim to demonstrate their ability to perform consistently in challenging overseas conditions.

New Zealand vs India ODI Series 2026: Overview

The India Tour of New Zealand 2026 includes five T20 International matches, five ODIs and two Test matches. Following the T20I series, both teams will shift their attention to the 50-over format.

The ODI series is particularly important because both teams will use these matches to assess their combinations and identify players capable of performing at the highest level ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Shubman Gill will captain India during the first three ODI matches. Shreyas Iyer will take over the captaincy for the fourth and fifth matches. New Zealand will be led by Mitchell Santner throughout the series.

The Indian team has selected a combination of experienced international stars and emerging players. New Zealand has also announced separate squads for the first three and final two matches to manage workloads and evaluate its wider player pool.

India Tour of New Zealand 2026: Complete ODI Schedule

The five-match ODI series will take place between November 4 and November 15, 2026. All five matches are scheduled to begin at 7:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).

The opening ODI will be played at Eden Park in Auckland. The second match will take place in Wellington, followed by the third ODI in Hamilton. The final two matches will be hosted at Bay Oval in Tauranga.

Indian cricket fans can expect early morning action throughout the series. These matches will provide an excellent opportunity for both teams to test their batting combinations, bowling strategies and fielding standards.

India ODI Squad for New Zealand Tour 2026

India have announced two separate ODI squads for the upcoming New Zealand tour. Shubman Gill will lead the team in the first three matches, while Shreyas Iyer will captain the side in the final two ODIs.

India squad for the first three ODIs:

• Shubman Gill (Captain)

• Rohit Sharma

• Virat Kohli

• Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain)

• KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)

• Nitish Kumar Reddy

• Axar Patel

• Naman Dhir

• Anshul Kamboj

• Gurnoor Brar

• Ruturaj Gaikwad

• Arshdeep Singh

• Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)

• Mohammed Siraj

• Kuldeep Yadav

India squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs:

• Shreyas Iyer (Captain)

• Rohit Sharma

• Virat Kohli

• Tilak Varma

• Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper and Vice-Captain)

• Nitish Kumar Reddy

• Axar Patel

• Naman Dhir

• Auqib Nabi

• Gurnoor Brar

• Ruturaj Gaikwad

• Arshdeep Singh

• Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper)

• Mohammed Siraj

• Yash Thakur

• Kuldeep Yadav

Prasidh Krishna was initially included in India’s first-three-ODI squad subject to fitness clearance. However, he was ruled out of the series on October 30 because of a hamstring injury and his inability to obtain fitness clearance.

New Zealand ODI Squad for India Series 2026

New Zealand will have a strong squad for the home ODI series against India. Mitchell Santner will captain both groups, while the selectors have introduced several changes between the first three and final two matches.

New Zealand squad for the first three ODIs:

• Mitchell Santner (Captain)

• Michael Bracewell

• Mark Chapman

• Devon Conway

• Jacob Duffy

• Matt Henry

• Kyle Jamieson

• Tom Latham (Wicketkeeper)

• Daryl Mitchell

• Glenn Phillips

• Rachin Ravindra

• Nathan Smith

• Blair Tickner

• Will Young

New Zealand squad for the fourth and fifth ODIs:

• Mitchell Santner (Captain)

• Finn Allen

• Michael Bracewell

• Mark Chapman

• Kristian Clarke

• Jacob Duffy

• Matt Fisher

• Lockie Ferguson

• Mitch Hay (Wicketkeeper)

• Nick Kelly

• Tim Seifert (Wicketkeeper)

• Blair Tickner

• Will Young

The inclusion of Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert for the final two ODIs adds more depth to New Zealand’s batting and bowling options. Rachin Ravindra is also included in the first-three-match squad following his recovery from a shoulder injury.

Key Indian Players to Watch in the ODI Series

India have several experienced players who can influence the outcome of the five-match series. Their performances will be important against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack and home-ground advantage.

1. Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma remains one of India’s most dangerous opening batters in ODI cricket. His ability to attack powerplay bowlers and build big innings makes him an important player. His experience will also help India’s younger players handle challenging overseas conditions.

2. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli will be one of the biggest attractions of the India vs New Zealand ODI series 2026. His consistency, ability to chase targets and experience against New Zealand make him a key part of India’s batting lineup. He will be expected to provide stability in the middle order.

3. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill will lead India in the opening three ODIs. His batting technique, timing and ability to score against different bowling attacks make him an important player. The New Zealand tour will also provide him with an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership qualities.

4. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer will serve as vice-captain in the first three matches before taking over the captaincy for the final two ODIs. His middle-order batting can help India recover from early wickets and accelerate during the middle overs.

5. Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav will be an important bowling option for India. His wrist-spin variations can create problems for New Zealand’s middle-order batters. His ability to take wickets during the middle overs could prove decisive.

Key New Zealand Players to Watch

New Zealand will depend on its experienced players to take advantage of familiar playing conditions. The home team has several match-winners capable of challenging India’s batting and bowling departments.

1. Mitchell Santner

Mitchell Santner will captain New Zealand throughout the ODI series. His left-arm spin, lower-order batting and leadership experience make him a valuable player. He will be responsible for managing the bowling attack and maintaining pressure on India’s batters.

2. Daryl Mitchell

Daryl Mitchell is one of New Zealand’s most dependable middle-order batters. His ability to play both attacking and defensive cricket makes him an important part of the lineup. He could play a major role in building competitive totals against India.

3. Rachin Ravindra

Rachin Ravindra will be an important player in the first three ODIs. His batting and left-arm spin provide New Zealand with valuable balance. His return to the ODI squad following a shoulder injury will add another dimension to the home team’s playing combination.

4. Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips is known for his aggressive batting, powerful hitting and excellent fielding. He can change the momentum of a match within a few overs. His ability to contribute with the ball also gives New Zealand additional flexibility.

5. Matt Henry

Matt Henry will be a crucial member of New Zealand’s fast-bowling attack. His ability to generate movement with the new ball could challenge India’s opening batters. His experience in home conditions will be particularly valuable.

New Zealand vs India ODI 2026: Head-to-Head Competition

India and New Zealand have developed a competitive rivalry in international cricket. Both teams have produced memorable performances in bilateral ODI series and ICC tournaments.

India traditionally possess a strong batting lineup with experienced players capable of controlling an innings. New Zealand, meanwhile, are recognised for their disciplined bowling, effective fielding and ability to perform as a team.

Playing in New Zealand presents different challenges for visiting teams. Weather conditions, pitch behaviour and movement with the new ball can influence batting performances. Indian batters will need to adjust quickly to these conditions.

New Zealand will also face challenges against India’s experienced batting order and varied bowling attack. The contest between India’s top-order batters and New Zealand’s opening bowlers could become one of the most interesting aspects of the series.

Pitch and Weather Conditions in New Zealand

New Zealand’s cricket grounds are known for offering competitive conditions for both batters and bowlers. The nature of the pitches can vary between venues, making adaptability important throughout the series.

Eden Park in Auckland is expected to provide an interesting contest because of its compact boundaries. Batters who settle early can score quickly, while bowlers must use accurate lengths and variations to restrict scoring.

Hnry Stadium in Wellington and Seddon Park in Hamilton will offer different challenges for both teams. Weather conditions and surface characteristics could influence the balance between batting and bowling.

Bay Oval in Tauranga will host the final two ODIs. Both teams will have an opportunity to assess the conditions during the fourth match before returning for the series finale.

Weather forecasts and official pitch reports should be checked closer to each match because conditions can change during New Zealand’s cricket season.

Importance of the India vs New Zealand ODI Series 2026

The five-match ODI series is important for both teams because preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 are becoming increasingly significant.

India will have an opportunity to test their batting combinations, evaluate their bowling options and build a balanced squad for overseas conditions. The performances of younger players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir and Gurnoor Brar will attract attention.

The captaincy changes between Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer will also be interesting. Both players will have opportunities to demonstrate their leadership abilities and manage different match situations.

New Zealand will use the series to evaluate its squad depth. The decision to introduce different players for the final two ODIs provides opportunities for emerging international cricketers to compete against a strong Indian team.

The series will also help both sides understand their strengths and weaknesses before future international assignments.

Where to Watch New Zealand vs India ODI Series 2026 Live

Cricket fans in India can follow the India Tour of New Zealand 2026 through official broadcasting and digital streaming platforms.

• Television: Sony Sports Network.

• Live streaming: Sony LIV.

• Match timings: 7:30 AM IST for all five ODIs.

Viewers should check the official broadcaster’s schedule for channel availability, subscription requirements and match coverage updates.

Final Thoughts

The New Zealand vs India ODI Series 2026 is expected to deliver competitive cricket, exciting batting performances and impressive bowling displays. India will aim to overcome the challenges of playing overseas, while New Zealand will look to use home conditions to their advantage.

With Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips involved, the five-match series has plenty of star power.

Both teams have important objectives ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Their performances in Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Tauranga will provide valuable preparation for future international competitions. Cricket fans can look forward to an entertaining contest between two quality teams during the India Tour of New Zealand 2026.