Representative image. Michal Klajban, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
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Why it matters
This is India's first T20I against New Zealand since the 2026 T20 World Cup final, and the start of planning for the 2028 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. With Bumrah and Hardik out, the series tests whether India's young pace bowlers can hold up away from home. For fans, all five matches start at 12.30 pm IST, during the working day.
India vs New Zealand gets under way on Thursday, 22 October 2026, when the two sides open a five-match T20I series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The match starts at 12.30 pm IST, which is 8 pm local time, and it is the first T20I between them since they met in the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup, Business Standard noted. Shreyas Iyer captains India and Mitchell Santner leads New Zealand.
India vs New Zealand 1st T20I: time, venue and where to watch
In India, the match will be shown live on Sony Sports Network channels and streamed on the SonyLIV app and website from 12.30 pm, according to Outlook India. The midday start means most of the India vs New Zealand opener falls during working hours; a T20 usually runs about three and a half hours, so it should end around 4 pm IST.
The rest of the India vs New Zealand series moves around the country. The second T20I is also in Christchurch on 24 October, followed by Wellington on 27 October, Eden Park in Auckland on 30 October and Seddon Park in Hamilton on 1 November. All five games are scheduled to start at 12.30 pm IST.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns as Bumrah and Hardik miss out
India are without Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya for the series, NewsX reported, which has put the spotlight on a pace attack that has given away big totals on flat pitches. The selectors have turned to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 36, who is back in the T20I side after four years. He has 90 wickets in 88 T20Is, and took 17 wickets in IPL 2025 and 28 in IPL 2026 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the title both times, PTI reported.
Iyer said at his pre-match press conference that the attack had lacked experience since the IPL, with many new bowlers in the group, and that Bhuvneshwar’s record in the format would help fill that gap. The other quicks in the squad are Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav, with Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav as the specialist spinners.
India’s squad and the opening pair question
India’s batting is built for attack: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and the teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi are all in the 16-man squad. Only two can open, and preview reports suggest Sooryavanshi may have to wait. Probable line-ups published by NewsX have Abhishek and Samson at the top, with Kishan, Iyer and Tilak to follow.
The full India squad, as listed by Outlook India and NewsX: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.
Iyer arrives in form. He scored his first T20I hundred in the opening match of the recent series against the West Indies, which India won by eight wickets, Outlook India reported.
New Zealand’s pace attack and changes
New Zealand have two forced changes from their original squad. Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner come in for the injured Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes. The hosts lean on pace: Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne and Tickner are all available. Duffy has said New Zealand have studied Sooryavanshi and prepared plans for him, according to Outlook India.
The New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith and Blair Tickner.
India vs New Zealand: jet lag, conditions and the record
India have had little time to adjust after flying in from the other side of the world, ESPNcricinfo and NewsX reported. Hagley Oval tends to offer seam movement and bounce, and a cool evening start could help the new ball. That brings Bhuvneshwar’s swing into play for India, and suits New Zealand’s pace-heavy squad.
In India vs New Zealand T20Is, India hold the better record overall and have won their last two bilateral T20I series in New Zealand, NewsX noted. The series also gives both teams an early look at combinations for the 2028 T20 World Cup, which Australia and New Zealand will co-host.
For more on India’s recent sporting results, read our report on India’s medal run at the Asian Para Games.
Frequently asked questions
What time does India vs New Zealand 1st T20I start?
It starts at 12.30 pm IST (8 pm local time) on Thursday, 22 October 2026, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Where can I watch India vs New Zealand live in India?
On Sony Sports Network TV channels and the SonyLIV app and website, according to Outlook India.
Why are Bumrah and Hardik Pandya not playing?
Both are unavailable for the T20I series, NewsX reported. The reports used here do not give a reason.