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The first T20I match on 22nd October at 12:30 PM IST will bring India versus New Zealand to Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
Get the best IND vs NZ Dream11 prediction, fantasy cricket tips, probable playing XI, and match insights for the 1st T20I match of the India Tour of New Zealand 2026. Expert analysis and more.
Captaincy Picks:
Abhishek Sharma – India’s explosive left-handed batter has amassed 1,963 runs in 64 T20Is, striking at 192.07. His record features 3 centuries and 13 half-centuries, with a highest score of 135. He has also contributed 12 wickets with his left-arm orthodox spin. |
Ishan Kishan – Combining aggressive strokeplay with wicketkeeping skills, Kishan has scored 1,941 runs in 63 T20Is, averaging 32.90 at a strike rate of 149.88. His career tally includes one century and 13 fifties, with a best score of 103. |
Top Picks:
Glenn Phillips – New Zealand’s versatile middle-order batter has registered 2,286 runs in 85 T20Is, including two centuries and 12 half-centuries. His highest score is 108, and he has also claimed 9 wickets, underlining his value as a part-time bowling option. |
Mitchell Santner – Santner’s left-arm orthodox spin has brought New Zealand 142 wickets across 138 T20Is, with a best of 4/11. He has also accumulated 1,108 runs, including two half-centuries, making him a valuable all-round contributor. |
Budget Picks:
Tim Seifert – Seifert has built an impressive record as a right-handed wicketkeeper-batter, scoring 2,235 runs in 89 T20Is at a strike rate of 145.60. His tally includes 17 half-centuries, and his highest score stands at an unbeaten 97. |
Shreyas Iyer – Iyer has scored 1,615 runs in 68 T20Is, averaging 32.95, with one century and 10 half-centuries. His unbeaten 102 is his highest score, while his ability to play spin and accelerate through the middle overs remains a key part of his batting style. |
Captain |
Abhishek Sharma & Ishan Kishan |
Vice-Captain |
Glenn Phillips & Mitchell Santner |
Players |
Dream11 Credits |
Dream11 Points (Last match) |
Nathan Smith |
NA |
NA |
Mayank Yadav |
NA |
NA |
SL Captaincy Choice |
Abhishek Sharma |
GL Captaincy Choice |
Ishan Kishan |
Punt Picks |
Tim Seifert and Shreyas Iyer |
Dream11 Combination |
2-4-2-3 |
New Zealand will host India in the opening T20I of their five-match series on Thursday, 22 October 2026, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The match will begin at 12:30 PM IST, with Shreyas Iyer leading India and Mitchell Santner captaining the hosts. Both teams will view this series as a valuable opportunity to sharpen their combinations, test their bench strength and build momentum ahead of upcoming international tournaments. While India arrive with a formidable batting lineup, New Zealand will look to use home conditions to make an immediate impact.
India possess considerable firepower at the top, where Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson could set an aggressive tone during the powerplay. Further down the order, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and Tilak Varma provide batting depth, while Shivam Dube and Axar Patel strengthen the team’s all-round balance. Moreover, Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to the T20I squad following impressive IPL performances, and Arshdeep Singh adds variety with his left-arm pace. New Zealand, meanwhile, will depend on Finn Allen and Tim Seifert to deliver explosive starts, with Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell adding experience and stability. In addition, Santner’s spin could prove valuable alongside the pace of Matt Henry and Jacob Duffy, particularly if the Christchurch surface offers early movement.
New Zealand will aim to exploit familiar conditions, with their seamers likely to target swing and movement early in India’s innings. However, India’s batting depth and spin options give them several ways to control the contest, provided they adapt quickly and avoid losing wickets in clusters. Abhishek’s powerplay aggression, Samson’s contribution and the all-round value of Axar and Dube could prove decisive for the visitors. Conversely, New Zealand will look to Allen and Phillips to produce game-changing performances and put India’s bowlers under pressure. Although India appear well equipped on paper, New Zealand’s home advantage could make the opening encounter a competitive battle.
Teams |
Matches Won |
India |
19 |
New Zealand |
11 |
Temperature |
16°C |
Weather Forecast |
Cool |
Pitch Behaviour |
Batting-friendly |
Best Suited To |
Pace |
Average 1st innings score |
172 |
Records |
Good |
Winning % |
52% |
India Playing 11:
1) Sanju Samson (wk)
2) Abhishek Sharma
3) Ishan Kishan
4) Shreyas Iyer ©
5) Tilak Varma
6) Naman Dhir
7) Shivam Dube
8) Axar Patel
9) Arshdeep Singh
10) Bhuvneshwar Kumar
11) Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand Playing 11:
1) Finn Allen
2) Tim Seifert (wk)
3) Devon Conway
4) Glenn Phillips
5) Daryl Mitchell
6) Bevon Jacobs
7) Michael Bracewell
8) Mitchell Santner ©
9) Nathan Smith
10) Matt Henry
11) Jacob Duffy
Looking at the squad strength, India is expected to win this match.
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