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After losing the ODI series by 2-1, India will face New Zealand in the 1st T20I of the five-match series on January 21, 2026, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. This series is important for both teams as it helps them prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which begins in India on February 7.
This series plays a key role in both sides’ World Cup planning. India will look to settle on their best XI at home, while New Zealand aims to fine-tune their squad.
India has a strong T20 record at home, but New Zealand is known for adapting quickly to Indian conditions. The Nagpur pitch usually helps fast bowlers early and spinners later, which could make the match competitive. Fans can expect big scores, close finishes, and intense battles in the final overs.
Get the match odds, pitch report, and key players for the 1st T20I match of the last T20I series before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
Winning And Toss Odds for India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Match
India has won four consecutive T20I series against New Zealand, including 2 home series, which is why betting platforms are favouring India’s win.
| Platform | India Win Odds | New Zealand Win Odds | Toss Odds (India) | Toss Odds (New Zealand) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.65 | 2.35 | 1.85 | 1.95 |
| Stake | 2 | 2.3 | 1.87 | 1.93 |
| 4RABET | 2 | 2.38 | 1.86 | 1.94 |
| BeVibe | 2 | 2.4 | 1.84 | 1.96 |
India vs New Zealand 1st T20I: Match Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | IND vs NZ, 1st T20I |
| Series | New Zealand tour of India, 2026 |
| Date | January 21, Wednesday |
| Time | 07:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur |
India vs New Zealand Squad for 1st T20I
Tilak Varma and Washington Sunder have ruled out of the series due to health concerns. Shreyas Iyer replaced Tilak for at least 3 matches, and Ravi Bishnoi replaced Washington for the complete series. Look at the updated squad of both teams.
New Zealand Squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Mark Chapman, Tim Robinson, Michael Bracewell, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Zakary Foulkes, Devon Conway (wk), Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi
India Squad
Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi
Pitch Report of Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
There will be a good contest between bat and ball as the pitch offers something for both throughout the game.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | The pitch is good for batting, offering steady bounce and pace. The ball comes nicely onto the bat throughout the match. |
| Batting Assistance | Batters get support, especially in the early overs. The surface suits attacking shots once the batter settles their eyes on the pitch. |
| Bowling Assistance | Bowlers get help from the pitch. Fast bowlers may find movement with the new ball, while spinners get assistance as the pitch slows later. |
| Ground Dimensions | The ground has moderate boundaries, around 77 meters in square meters, and straight boundaries are 73 meters. |
| T20I First Innings Score | The average first-innings score is about 163, which is defendable with good bowling. |
| Toss & Dew Factor | Teams often prefer to bat first, as most matches have been won that way. Dew can help chase sides in the evening, but the pressure remains high. |
Weather Report
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | The temperature is around 29°C, which is a relatively good condition for players. |
| Weather | A sunny day with dew expected. |
| Precipitation | There is no chance of rain. |
| Humidity | The humidity will be 40%. |
| Wind | Wind speed will be 13 km/h, assistant for pacer in the air. |
India vs New Zealand Head-to-Head in T20Is
India and New Zealand have faced each other 25 times, with India leading the rivalry with 14 wins.
| Total Matches Played | 25 |
|---|---|
| India Won | 14 |
| New Zealand Won | 10 |
| Tied | 01 |
Both teams have played 8 bilateral T20I series, India won 5 of them, while New Zealand managed to win 3 of them.
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Key Players to Watch
The following will be the key for both teams for the opener of the 5-match T20I series.
| Players | T20I Stats |
|---|---|
| Tim Robinson (NZ) | 540 runs in 23 innings at an average of 31.76. |
| James Neesham (NZ) | 1010 runs and 56 in 93 matches. |
| Ish Sodhi (NZ) | 157 wickets in 132 games at an economy of 7.98. |
| Hardik Pandya (IND) | 2002 runs and 101 wickets in 124 matches in T20I career. |
| Jasprit Bumrah (IND) | 103 wickets in 80 T20I innings at an economy of 6.39. |
| Varun Chakaravarthy (IND) | 55 wickets in 33 T20I games at an economy of 6.96. |
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