India will face New Zealand in January 2026 in three-match one-day international series followed by five T20Is across eight Indian cities.
This eye-catching cricket showdown begins on January 11 in Vadodara and finishes on January 31 in Thiruvananthapuram.
India: Captaincy Questions Simmer Beneath the Surface
Much of the recent conversation around India has been focused on the leadership of the group.
Rohit Sharma is the ODI captain, but there is plenty of speculation around who will succeed him when he bows out of the format.
There has been overwhelming support for Shubman Gill, with many people believing he is next in line to lead the team.
Gill has been showcasing his qualities, taking on the massive responsibility of being India’s Test captain at the age of 25, following Sharma’s retirement from the format.
He recently led India to a notable 2-2 draw versus England. Gill will serve as T20I vice-captain in the upcoming Asia Cup. He was already ODI vice-captain as India claimed the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has noted that Gill leads by example, scores runs under pressure and shows great understanding of the game, all traits that make him a natural heir to Sharma.
However, there are other contenders. Shreyas Iyer has all the credentials, having spearheaded Kolkata Knight Riders to an Indian Premier League title and led Punjab to another final.
Many people believe he has done enough to get the leadership role with India. Even Chopra hailed Iyer as a phenomenal skipper, but he still chose Gill as the man for the job.
The players will try to put the distractions behind them and focus on their performances against the dangerous All-Whites.
The series is the perfect opportunity to test combinations and quietly monitor how Gill and Iyer take charge in different match scenarios.
New Zealand: Battling Injuries at the Worst Possible Time
While the hosts are the bookmakers’ favourites to come out on top, it would be foolish to bet against New Zealand in January.
They will be hoping to have some key players back in the squad as they bid to defy the odds on foreign soil.
The best cricket betting sites in New Zealand will be inundated with wagers from Kiwi punters backing their team to emerge victorious.
Bettors will take confidence from New Zealand’s shock victory over India in a three match Test series in October and November 2024.
However, facing India across eight matches in three weeks will test the resilience of a squad that has been impacted by injuries to key players.
Fast bowler Will O’Rourke will be out of action for the next three months with a stress fracture in his lower back, and his absence is a massive miss for the Kiwis.
O’Rourke caught the eye with his pace and control in the Test arena but suffered an injury against Zimbabwe earlier this month. He must now focus on rehabilitation.
The problems do not stop there for New Zealand. Explosive all-rounder Glenn Phillips is also dealing with a groin problem that forced him to miss the Zimbabwe series.
Aggressive opening batsman Finn Allen is currently unavailable after undergoing surgery to treat a problem with his right foot. He is expected to be out for at least three months.
Allen’s absence is particularly frustrating as his power play could cause India’s new-ball attack all sorts of problems.
Even white-ball captain Mitchell Santner has not been spared. After cutting short his time at The Hundred in England because of groin discomfort, he is now slated for abdominal surgery.
He is only out for a month, but all eyes will be on his recovery. He will be a valuable asset on the tour of India, thanks to his spinning ability and presence in the dressing room.
New Zealand will have pace bowler Ben Sears available after he shook off a side strain that kept him out of the Zimbabwe tour. His extra pace will be vital in India.
Sports BackLinks Team