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New Zealand vs India, NZ vs IND 2026, Today Match Prediction
NZ vs IND Win Probability
Toss Winner - India won the toss and choose to bowl first
India beat New Zealand by 4 wickets
Who will win 1st T20I between New Zealand and India?
- Finn Allen has an average of 69 and 233.89 strike rate in last 3 T20Is.
- Abhishek Sharma has scored 234 runs in 6 matches vs New Zealand at 248.90 strike rate.
- Last time the two teams played, India won by 96 runs to lift the T20 World Cup 2026.
India to Win
| Tournament: | India tour of New Zealand 2026 |
| Format: | t20 |
| Venue: | Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Toss Prediction: | To Bowl |
| Weather: | 16.3°C|Overcast |
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NZ vs IND Live Prediction
NZ vs IND Match Prediction & Analysis
An exciting bit of cricket action is set to unfold this week as New Zealand host Team India in the first of five match T20I series. The match will be played on Thursday, 22 October at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, come into the series with mixed recent form. They recorded a win against Bangladesh in their last completed T20I but had earlier suffered losses to South Africa. The hosts will look to the explosive opening pair of Finn Allen and Tim Seifert to set the tone.
India, captained by Shreyas Iyer, arrive for this one after a series draw against West Indies at home. Abhishek Sharma will be centre of attention with Iyer, Ishan Kishan likely to make an impact with the bat. The big news from the Indian camp though is the return of Bhuvneshwar Kumar after four years away.
This is poised to be an exciting game of cricket with either side packed with big-hitters. There have been 31 T20Is played between the two teams and Team India have won 19 of those while New Zealand have won 11.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
NZ
W
L
L
L
W
NZ
102/10 in 14.2 7.12
BAN vs NZ 2026
New Zealand beat Bangladesh by 6 wickets (D/L) method104/4 in 11.4 8.91
183/4 in 18.0 10.17
BAN vs NZ 2026
Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 6 wickets182/6 in 20.0 9.1
IND
L
W
L
W
W
IND
HEAD TO HEAD
Last 6 Matches
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TEAMS PREVIEW
New Zealand Preview
New Zealand host India in the first T20I of a five match series at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on 22 October 2026. Mitchell Santner leads a side that has mixed recent form, with wins against Bangladesh but earlier losses to South Africa.
The batting lineup features aggressive openers in Finn Allen and Tim Seifert. Seifert has been in strong recent form with 145 runs in his last three matches at an average of 48.33 and a strike rate of 172.61, while Allen has scored 138 runs in three matches at an average of 69 and a blistering strike rate of 233.89.
Devon Conway provides stability for the side, but is unlikely to play in his natural position in the Kiwi setup, while Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell offer depth and all-round ability in the middle order.
The bowling attack is led by the pace of Lockie Ferguson, who has taken 6 wickets in his last five matches at an economy of 7.48. Mitchell Santner has claimed 5 wickets in six matches at an economy of 6.14. Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Adam Milne provide further support. With home advantage and a well-balanced squad, New Zealand will look to start the series strongly.
New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:
Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Bevon Jacobs, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Kyle Jamieson.
New Zealand Actual Playing XI:
Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Finn Allen, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Lockie Ferguson
India Preview
India begin their tour of New Zealand with the first T20I in Christchurch, coming off a mixed series against West Indies that included two wins, as many losses and a no-result, meant the series ended in a draw. Shreyas Iyer captains a relatively inexperienced T20I side for this series.
The batting is built around explosive openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Sharma has scored 360 runs in his last 10 matches at an average of 36 and a strike rate of 218.18. He had a pretty up and down series vs West Indies, scoring 145 at 29.0 average and 181.25 strike rate.
Meanwhile Ishan Kishan has made 304 runs in the last 10 matches at an average of 43.43 and a strike rate of 167.95. Tilak Varma as vice-captain provides middle-order solidity, while there will be keen eyes on Sanju Samson with questions being raised about the 31-year-old’s consistency. Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy will add further firepower down the order.
The bowling unit features Axar Patel, who has taken 11 wickets in last nine matches at an economy of 8.36, and Nitish Kumar Reddy with 7 wickets in four matches at an economy of 8.92. But the biggest talking point though is the return of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the first time since 2022, that was also against New Zealand.
Bhuvi has impressed with consistent performance in the IPL and with team India missing Jasprit Bumrah for the series, he will be lead pacer for the team. He will find support from Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy complete the spin trio with Axar Patel.
India Predicted Playing XI:
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prince Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy.
India Actual Playing XI:
Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather Conditions
The weather forecast in Christchurch on matchday is likely to be mostly clear skies. It is likely to be a very beautiful day for a game of cricket with the mild temperature hovering between 20-12°C. There is only a 0-10% probability of precipitation, so there is definitely no doubt of rain during the game.
NZ vs IND Pitch Report
The pitch is generally balanced. Pacers can extract early swing and seam movement, especially with the new ball and under cooler or breezy conditions. Once the surface settles, it offers true bounce that allows batters to play their strokes freely. Spinners find limited assistance.
Toss: To Bowl
The captain who win the toss would want to bowl first. There is no particular coin toss advantage at the venue and the side that plays the best cricket on the day would win. However, in such a high-voltage game, the mental advantage of chasing might be big.
NZ vs IND
Winning Prediction
India are slight favourites. Their explosive top order led by Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, combined with the return of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and a strong spin attack, gives them a clear edge. New Zealand will rely on Finn Allen and Tim Seifert’s power at home, but India’s greater batting depth and recent head-to-head dominance should tip a high-scoring contest their way.
India to Win
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