New Zealand vs India match
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The gist
India chased down New Zealand's 225 at Hagley Oval, winning the 1st T20I with two balls to spare.
The five-match T20I series continues in Christchurch on Saturday, with four games to follow.
Background
This is a five-match T20I (shortest international cricket format) series between India and New Zealand, played across Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton, followed by five ODIs and two Tests. India arrived days after a rain-affected home series against the West Indies ended in a 2-2 draw, with only one training session in Christchurch, and were without Jasprit Bumrah (rested) and Hardik Pandya for the opener. New Zealand were close to full strength for the first time since the World Cup final in March. Shreyas Iyer, India's T20 captain since June, scored 42 in the first match, while wicketkeeper Sanju Samson made 67 off 33 balls.
How it unfolded
- Oct 22, 20261st T20I at Hagley Oval, Christchurch: India won by 4 wickets with two balls to spare after New Zealand scored 225.
- Oct 24, 20262nd T20I scheduled at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 12:30 p.m. IST.
- Oct 27, 20263rd T20I scheduled in Wellington, 12:30 p.m. IST.
- Oct 30, 20264th T20I scheduled at Eden Park, Auckland, 12:30 p.m. IST.
- Nov 1, 20265th T20I scheduled at Seddon Park, Hamilton, 12:30 p.m. IST.
- Nov 4, 2026 –15, 2026Five-match ODI series follows the T20Is, ending with two games at Bay Oval, Tauranga.
- Nov 19, 2025 –Dec 1, 2026Two Tests follow the ODIs, in Wellington (Nov 19-23) and Christchurch (Nov 27-Dec 1).
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- The Sporting News predicted New Zealand would win the 2nd T20I, saying they have the better case to level the series at Hagley Oval on Saturday.