New Zealand Cricket have unveiled a packed home-schedule for 2026, with India’s mega tour to the country headlining the list of fixtures. The Indian cricket team is all set to spend at least a couple of months in New Zealand as they will take on the Kiwis in a five-match T20I and ODI series, followed by a two-match Test series. Revenge will be on the minds of Shubman Gill and co. as they look to bounce back in the longest format of the game after they were whitewashed at home in 2024.
India to tour New Zealand in Oct-Nov
New Zealand’s home season will commence with the five-match T20I series against India in October 2026. The Men in Blue last faced the Kiwis in the T20 World Cup 2026 final in Ahmedabad where they lifted the trophy for the second time after securing an emphatic win. The T20I series will be followed by a five-match ODI series in November. This series will be important for both teams, with the 2027 ODI World Cup just around the horizon. Following this, a two-match Test series will be played. The tour will take place across five major centres, with the 12 matches the most internationals scheduled for an in-bound tour in NZC history.
India tour of New Zealand schedule
| No. | Match | Date | Time (IST) | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st T20I | 22 October 2026 | 1:30 PM | Hagley Oval | Christchurch |
| 2 | 2nd T20I | 24 October 2026 | 1:30 PM | Hagley Oval | Christchurch |
| 3 | 3rd T20I | 27 October 2026 | 1:30 PM | HNRY Stadium | Wellington |
| 4 | 4th T20I | 30 October 2026 | 1:30 PM | Eden Park | Auckland |
| 5 | 5th T20I | 1 November 2026 | 1:30 PM | Seddon Park | Hamilton |
| No. | Match | Date | Time (IST) | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st ODI | 4 November 2026 | 8:30 AM | Eden Park | Auckland |
| 2 | 2nd ODI | 7 November 2026 | 8:30 AM | HNRY Stadium | Wellington |
| 3 | 3rd ODI | 10 November 2026 | 8:30 AM | Seddon Park | Hamilton |
| 4 | 4th ODI | 13 November 2026 | 8:30 AM | Bay Oval | Mount Maunganui |
| 5 | 5th ODI | 15 November 2026 | 8:30 AM | Bay Oval | Mount Maunganui |
| No. | Match | Dates | Start Time (IST) | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Test | 19–23 November 2026 | 4:30 AM | Basin Reserve | Wellington |
| 2 | 2nd Test | 27 November – 1 December 2026 | 4:30 AM | Hagley Oval | Christchurch |
Following the series against India, New Zealand will host Sri Lanka for 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is and 2 Tests in January-February 2027. Meanwhile, the New Zealand women’s cricket team will host Bangladesh for a three-match ODI and T20I series in December 2026.
| Month | Team/Opposition | Matches |
|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | India Men | 4 T20Is |
| November 2026 | India Men | 1 T20I, 5 ODIs, 2 Tests |
| January 2027 | Sri Lanka Men | 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is |
| February 2027 | Sri Lanka Men | 2 Tests |
| December 2026 (White Ferns) | Bangladesh Women | 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs |
“When it comes to cricket – it simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other. The passion and the following this team has is staggering – not to mention some of the players expected to tour such as Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah – so we’re bracing for the intensity and fandom that will accompany the tour,” NZC’s Glenn Critchley said.
Cricket
India to tour New Zealand for historic series in October-November, play 5 T20Is, 5 ODIs and 2 Tests
