The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially confirmed the venues and full schedule for New Zealand’s much-anticipated white-ball tour of India, set to take place in January 2026. This extensive series will feature three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), serving as crucial preparation for both teams, particularly for India ahead of the co-hosted T20 World Cup in February-March 2026.
The announcement, made during the recent Apex Council Meeting, brings clarity to the cricketing calendar and promises an action-packed start to the new year for fans across the nation.
ODI Series: Kicking Off in Gujarat
The tour will commence with a three-match ODI series, with matches strategically placed across different regions to offer varied conditions and reach a wider audience.
- 1st ODI: Sunday, January 11, 2026 – Baroda (Kotambi Stadium) – 1:30 PM IST. Notably, this will be a historic return for men’s international cricket to Vadodara after over 15 years, with the newly constructed Kotambi Stadium making its debut.
- 2nd ODI: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – Rajkot – 1:30 PM IST.
- 3rd ODI: Sunday, January 18, 2026 – Indore – 1:30 PM IST.
T20I Series: A Crucial Lead-up to the World Cup
Following the ODIs, the focus will shift to the fast-paced T20I format, with a substantial five-match series that holds significant importance for the defending T20 World Cup champions, India.
- 1st T20I: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 – Nagpur – 7:00 PM IST.
- 2nd T20I: Friday, January 23, 2026 – Raipur – 7:00 PM IST.
- 3rd T20I: Sunday, January 25, 2026 – Guwahati – 7:00 PM IST.
- 4th T20I: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 – Visakhapatnam (Vizag) – 7:00 PM IST.
- 5th T20I: Saturday, January 31, 2026 – Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) – 7:00 PM IST.
This five-match T20I series is expected to be India’s final international assignment before they co-host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with Sri Lanka. For New Zealand, this tour will serve as a vital build-up to their subsequent T20I series against Afghanistan.
The tour promises to be an exciting contest between two competitive white-ball teams, setting the stage for a thrilling year of international cricket. Cricket enthusiasts across India can now mark their calendars for a comprehensive display of talent and fierce competition.
