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India vs New Zealand 2026: Complete Match Schedule Announced, Check Fixtures
Indian cricket fans planning for a long New Zealand tour can start marking their calendars. The schedule is finally out, and it is not a short visit. New Zealand Cricket has confirmed a full-fledged India tour that will stretch from October 22, 2026 to December 1, 2026.
By the time it ends, the two teams will have played 12 international matches across all three formats, making it one of the biggest bilateral series ever hosted by New Zealand. For nearly six weeks, the focus of New Zealand’s cricket summer will revolve around India.
The action begins with a five-match T20I series, giving both sides an extended run in the shortest format. The opening game will be played in Christchurch on October 22 before the teams move through the rest of the series on October 24, 27, 30 and November 1.
India Tour of New Zealand 2026 Schedule
T20I Series
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 22, 2026 | 1st T20I | Christchurch |
| October 24, 2026 | 2nd T20I | Christchurch |
| October 27, 2026 | 3rd T20I | Wellington |
| October 30, 2026 | 4th T20I | Auckland |
| November 1, 2026 | 5th T20I | Hamilton |
ODI Series
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| November 4, 2026 | 1st ODI | Auckland |
| November 7, 2026 | 2nd ODI | Wellington |
| November 10, 2026 | 3rd ODI | Hamilton |
| November 13, 2026 | 4th ODI | Tauranga |
| November 15, 2026 | 5th ODI | Tauranga |
Test Series
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| November 19–23, 2026 | 1st Test | Wellington |
| November 27–December 1, 2026 | 2nd Test | Christchurch |
Five T20Is Followed by Five ODIs
There will barely be any breathing space after that. The attention then shifts to the 50-over format with a five-match ODI series scheduled across November. The first ODI will be played on November 4, followed by matches on November 7, 10, 13 and 15.
That sequence alone would qualify as a major bilateral assignment. Yet the tour still has its most traditional chapter left.
Test Series to Conclude the Tour
The two-match Test series begins on November 19 and runs until November 23. The second and final Test will be played from November 27 to December 1, bringing the curtain down on India’s lengthy visit.
What makes the tour stand out is not just the number of matches. It is the scale of anticipation around it.
New Zealand Expecting Huge Interest
New Zealand Cricket has openly acknowledged the excitement surrounding India’s arrival. Whenever India travel, stadium attendance, television audiences and overall interest tend to rise sharply. That reality is not lost on the hosts.
Glenn Critchley, New Zealand Cricket’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, described the tour as a major occasion for the country. He said cricket does not get much bigger than hosting India and added that New Zealand was determined to deliver an experience unlike any previous home summer.
Star Power Adds to the Excitement
There is also considerable interest around the players who could be part of the touring squad. Critchley specifically mentioned the possibility of seeing Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah in New Zealand conditions, highlighting the level of excitement attached to some of India’s biggest stars. He also noted the enormous fan following that accompanies the Indian team wherever it travels.
And that atmosphere is often impossible to ignore. Indian tours tend to bring packed stands, travelling supporters, long autograph queues and a level of noise rarely seen during regular bilateral cricket. Even in overseas venues, pockets of blue often dominate the crowd.
For New Zealand supporters, the series offers a chance to watch one of cricket’s biggest rivalries unfold over multiple formats. For India, it presents a demanding overseas challenge that will test the squad in T20Is, ODIs and Test cricket over an extended period.
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