By: Gameotics Editorial Team · Last updated: 15 Oct 2026 (IST)
Quick answer: India’s tour of New Zealand starts with the 1st T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on 22 October 2026 and includes T20Is, ODIs and Tests, the Tests counting towards the World Test Championship. Below are all the dates, venues and IST timings, with anything not yet confirmed in brackets.
What Does India’s New Zealand Tour Include?
This is one of India’s longest away trips of the season: three formats, multiple cities and that classic NZ challenge of wind, swing and early starts for Indian fans. Most matches start in the morning or early afternoon IST because New Zealand is 7.5 hours ahead (8.5 hours once NZ daylight saving starts, so check every match time).
The squads have already been announced. The Indian Express highlighted Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the T20I squad as the headline pick.
T20I Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Thu 22 Oct 2026 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 12:30 PM (8 pm local) |
| 2nd T20I | Sat 24 Oct 2026 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 12:30 PM (8 pm local) |
| 3rd T20I | Tue 27 Oct 2026 | Hnry Stadium, Wellington | 12:30 PM (8 pm local) |
| 4th T20I | Fri 30 Oct 2026 | Eden Park, Auckland | 12:30 PM (8 pm local) |
| 5th T20I | Sun 1 Nov 2026 | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 12:30 PM (8 pm local) |
ODI Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | Wed 4 Nov 2026 | Eden Park, Auckland | 7:30 AM (3 pm local) |
| 2nd ODI | Sat 7 Nov 2026 | Hnry Stadium, Wellington | 7:30 AM (3 pm local) |
| 3rd ODI | Tue 10 Nov 2026 | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 7:30 AM (3 pm local) |
| 4th ODI | Fri 13 Nov 2026 | Bay Oval, Tauranga | 7:30 AM (3 pm local) |
| 5th ODI | Sun 15 Nov 2026 | Bay Oval, Tauranga | 7:30 AM (3 pm local) |
ODIs on this tour start at 3 pm local time, which is 7:30 AM IST because New Zealand is on daylight saving time (NZC schedule). Set your alarms, yaar.
Test Schedule (WTC)
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | 19–23 Nov 2026 | Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington | 3:30 AM (11 am local) |
| 2nd Test | 27 Nov–1 Dec 2026 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 3:30 AM (11 am local) |
These Tests count for the World Test Championship. We cover why they matter in our WTC explainer. Read more: Why the Wellington & Christchurch Tests Matter for the WTC Final Race.
Squads
T20I squad: ODI squad: Test squad:
New Zealand:
Where Can You Watch the Tour in India?
In India, the tour is on Sony Sports Network channels and the Sony LIV app, under Sony’s seven-year deal with New Zealand Cricket that covers this tour. Gameotics doesn’t link to unofficial streams.
Quick Tips for Indian Fans
- Time zones: NZ daylight saving changes the IST start time, so check each fixture rather than assuming.
- Conditions: Christchurch and Wellington can be windy and green early on. Swing bowlers love it, and openers have a tough job.
- Travel: buy tickets only through New Zealand Cricket’s official channels at nzc.nz.
The Final Word
Three formats, two islands and plenty of early-morning alarms. We’ll update this page as times are confirmed, so bookmark it and check back before every match.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does India’s tour of New Zealand start?
With the 1st T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on 22 October 2026.
Why do IST timings change during the tour?
New Zealand moves to daylight saving time in spring, so the gap with India changes. Always check each match’s IST time separately.
Do the Tests count for the WTC?
Yes, the Test matches count towards the 2025-27 World Test Championship.
Is Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the squad?
Yes, he returns to the T20I squad, per the Indian Express.
Sources
- Indian Express, India squads for NZ tour: indianexpress.com
- CricketNews, IND vs NZ 2026 schedule: cricketnews.com
- NZC 2026-27 international schedule (official, NZ local times): nzc.nz
- NZC, India tour announcement: nzc.nz
- NZC, Sony Pictures Networks India broadcast deal: nzc.nz
About the Author
Gameotics Editorial Team covers cricket, esports and gaming for Indian fans.
Last updated: 15 Oct 2026 (IST).
