IND vs NZ 1st T20: Warm-Up Clash as India and New Zealand Tune Up for World Cup
Examination season is upon us, and while students nationwide prepare for their board exams, India and New Zealand are set for their own practice run before the crucial T20 World Cup.
The five-match T20I series kicks off at the VCA Stadium on Wednesday, providing a perfect opportunity for Suryakumar Yadav’s Indian team and Mitchell Santner’s New Zealand team to practice and finalize strategies ahead of the tournament.
With the T20 World Cup just three weeks away, both teams, almost at full strength, will focus on refining their plays, akin to diligent students reviewing their lessons.
However, coach Gautam Gambhir must adjust the lineup due to injuries, with Tilak Varma missing the first three matches and Washington Sundar out for the series.
India intends to field its best possible squad, featuring star players like pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah and versatile player Hardik Pandya. Sanju Samson, the wicketkeeper-batter, sees this as a crucial chance to cement his position at the top of the order after a challenging period.
Kishan to bat at No. 3
Regarding who will fill Tilak’s spot, Suryakumar confirmed: “Kishan will bat at No. 3. He is in our World Cup team. We selected him first, so it is his rightful place and duty. The situation would differ if it was the No. 4 or No. 5 spot.”
For New Zealand, buoyed by their recent ODI victory over India, the main hurdle is ensuring their T20 specialists, returning from league matches, are ready and fit.
The Kiwis approach the series having secured a 2-1 ODI series win, marking their first victory in India. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak
The Kiwis approach the series having secured a 2-1 ODI series win, marking their first victory in India. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak
Nagpur 2016-2026
The viral 2016-2026 social media challenge finds a sporting parallel this week. On March 15, 2016, New Zealand spinners, led by Santner (4-0-11-4), achieved a historic T20 World Cup win over India at this venue. Nearly a decade later, as they face off again, can Indian spinners change the narrative against Santner’s squad?
New Zealand continues making history in India, following their 2024 Test series win and recent ODI triumph. Will they seize the T20I series, or even the T20 World Cup, to complete a historic treble?
It’s the perfect mock test for the Kiwis.
Squads
India: Suryakumar Yadav (Capt.), Axar Patel (Vice-capt.), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wk) and Ravi Bishnoi.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (Capt.), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi and Kristian Clarke.
Published on Jan 20, 2026
Post Comment