India tours New Zealand for five-match T20I series starting October 22
India, the two-time T20 World Champions, will tour New Zealand for a five-match T20I series from October 22 to November 1. The series marks New Zealand's return to international cricket after a three-month break. Shreyas Iyer leads India, while Mitchell Santner captains New Zealand. Rachin Ravindra is absent due to a shoulder injury. The match serves as a key preparation for both teams ahead of future global competitions.
Key points
- India, the two-time T20 World Champions, will play New Zealand in a five-match T20I series scheduled from October 22 to November 1, 2026.
- Shreyas Iyer, India's new T20I captain, leads a team coming off a 2-2 series draw against the West Indies and a recent Asian Games gold medal win.
- New Zealand, returning after a three-month break from international cricket, will be captained by all-rounder Mitchell Santner.
- New Zealand's squad includes players from their recent T20 World Cup campaign, where they lost the final to India, but misses Rachin Ravindra due to a dislocated shoulder.
- Iyer has a mixed record as captain, winning only against Zimbabwe in three away tours, while New Zealand seeks to shake off rust after their last T20I in May.
- The series is broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and Willow TV in the US, highlighting the continued global popularity of T20 cricket.
India will travel to New Zealand for a five-match T20 International series beginning on October 22, 2026. The two-time T20 World Champions face the Kiwis in a contest that marks New Zealand's return to international cricket after a three-month hiatus. The series runs through November 1, offering both teams a significant opportunity to prepare for upcoming global fixtures.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the Indian side, continuing his tenure as T20I captain. India enters the tour following a 2-2 series draw against the West Indies and a gold medal victory at the Asian Games. Iyer's captaincy record remains mixed, with a series win against Zimbabwe but losses to Ireland and England in recent away tours. New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, has named a squad largely composed of players from their recent T20 World Cup campaign, where they were defeated by India in the final. Notable all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is absent due to a dislocated shoulder sustained last week.
The series is expected to draw significant international attention, with broadcasts scheduled on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Willow TV in the United States. For New Zealand, the matches are critical for regaining match sharpness after their last T20I appearance in May against Bangladesh. India aims to build on its previous 2022 tour of New Zealand, seeking to maintain its dominance in the format. The outcome of this series will provide early insights into the form of both teams as they continue their international schedules.
Sources
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