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India’s Probable Playing XI vs New Zealand | IND vs NZ 1st T20I 2026

India and New Zealand will be playing a five-match T20I series, which is all set to start from January 21, 2026, and the first game between both teams will be played at the VCA in Jamtha, Punjab.

Amit Patel (icccricketschedule.com)

Published: January 19, 2026 at 7:32 PM IST • Updated: February 5, 2026 at 12:18 PM IST

• 3 Min Read

India’s Probable Playing XI vs New Zealand

After a shocking defeat against New Zealand in ODIs, India will shift focus to T20Is as they will play their final bilateral series before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. India and New Zealand will be playing a five-match T20I series, which is all set to start from January 21, 2026, and the first game between both teams will be played at the VCA in Jamtha, Punjab.

Suryakumar Yadav will be leading the Indian side, while several senior players will return in the New Zealand side, including the captain, Mitchell Santner. It’s going to be a crucial series for both teams before the 2026 T20 World Cup, as they will be testing their bench strength and finding their perfect combinations for the upcoming tournament.

After Shubman Gill rested for the IND vs NZ T20I side and the T20 World Cup 2026, Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson are likely to open in the 1st T20I. The duo will reunite again at the top order after quite a long time, and it’s going to be an interesting pair as both players are known for aggressive hitting.

IND vs NZ 1st T20I Match Details:

Match Between: India Men’s National Cricket Team vs New Zealand Men’s National Cricket Team

Date: January 21, 2026

Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Punjab

Time: 7:00 PM (IST)

Live Streaming Details: Star Sports & JioHotstar (India & Sri Lanka), PTV Sports & Myco/Tamasha app (Pakistan), Sky TV NZ & Sky Sports Now / Sky Go (New Zealand)

Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium Pitch Report

Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium is known for its high-scoring matches, especially in T20 cricket. Batters are likely to dominate the game, while bowlers may get some early swing. However, dew is expected in the second inning, so the winning team is likely to bowl first, and they have a good winning rate at this venue.

Is Shreyas Iyer Playing 1st T20I vs New Zealand?

Shreyas Iyer has been added to India's T20 squad for the first three games as a replacement for Tilak Verma, who has recently undergone surgery and is ruled out of the first three T20Is. However, the chances are quite low that Shreyas Iyer will be in the Playing XI due to combinations.

Is Sanju Samson Playing IND vs NZ 1st T20I?

Sanju Samson is likely to play in the IND vs NZ 1st T20I. He is expected to open with Abhishek Sharma. Shubman Gill used to open for India, but now, he has been dropped from the T20 side, so Sanju Samson is likely to open as he used to be in the absence of Gill.

Ishan Kisan or Sanju Samon- Who will do Wicketkeeping?

Ishan Kisan is expected to play in the first game; however, the chances are quite low that he will be doing wicket-keeping. Sanju Samson is likely to do wicket-keeping in the IND vs NZ 1st T20I at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha.

India’s Probable Playing XI vs New Zealand 1st T20I:

Abhishek Sharma

Sanju Samson

Suryakumar Yadav (C)

Ishan Kisan

Axar Patel

Hardik Pandya

Shivam Dube

Rinku Singh

Jasprit Bumrah

Arshdeep Singh

Varun Chakravarthy

India Squad vs New Zealand T20I Series 2026:

Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi.

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