Last Updated on 2 hours ago by Charbel Coorey

The show goes on for India as they prepare for another T20I series, this time in New Zealand. Their blockbuster tour consisting of 12 matches across formats gets underway in Christchurch on Thursday, with different conditions sure to test their batting lineup.

Shreyas Iyer’s team are fresh off a T20I series against West Indies where a mammoth 1,746 runs were scored in four matches. The bowlers were reduced to bowling machines at times, so they will be hoping for more helpful conditions in New Zealand. However, how their batsmen adjust will make for interesting viewing.

For New Zealand, their challenge is finding their stride given their last T20I was back in May. Also, their last T20I series at home was a 3-2 series loss against South Africa in March, although it was between two new-look teams just after the World Cup. Here, the Black Caps will field the likes of Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips on the batting front, with a pace attack capable of giving the Indian lineup issues given the visitors’ quick turnaround.

NZ vs IND 1st T20 2026 Possible Playing XIs: How many spinners will India play in Christchurch?

New Zealand have plenty of bowling options. They have a stacked pace attack and can turn to Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell for spin.

In the last two years, Jacob Duffy taken 36 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 12.72 and an economy of 7.19 in home T20Is. Can the Black Caps find room for him in the XI?

New Zealand: 1. Finn Allen, 2. Tim Seifert (wk), 3. Devon Conway, 4. Glenn Phillips, 5. Daryl Mitchell, 6. Michael Bracewell, 7. Mitchell Santner (c), 8. Nathan Smith/Jacob Duffy, 9. Kyle Jamieson, 10. Matt Henry, 11. Lockie Ferguson

India have some decisions to make regarding the makeup of their attack. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is likely to play, but whether they play an extra fast bowler will be interesting to see. Jasprit Bumrah is rested with Tests the priority.

India: 1. Abhishek Sharma, 2. Sanju Samson (wk), 3. Ishan Kishan, 4. Shreyas Iyer (c), 5. Tilak Varma, 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Nitish Kumar Reddy, 8. Axar Patel, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Prince Yadav/Varun Chakravarthy, 11. Arshdeep Singh

Hagley Oval Christchurch Pitch Report and Weather: Conditions suited to fast bowling, says Shreyas Iyer

Expect some assistance for the seamers in this early-season T20I. South Africa hit 187 on this ground earlier this year, but that was at the end of the New Zealand season.

Chasing teams have won 53.3% of T20Is here since the start of 2016, so batting first isn’t too bad an option on a large ground. But, there is the chance of dew with clear and mild conditions forecast.

In the last decade, offspin bowlers have the lowest economy rate (7.12) while fast bowlers are averaging a tick under 21 with a respectable economy rate of 7.60 in T20Is here.

“If we look at the conditions here, fast bowling suits the best. It’s not like the conditions are completely different,” India captain Shreyas Iyer said, as quoted by Cricbuzz. “On a given day, no one knows how the wicket will be, so we’ll try to acclimatise as soon as possible. And if we have a good practice session, then every individual will get a fair idea about how to plan.”

NZ vs IND 1st T20 2026 Fantasy Cricket Tips: Pace bowlers to perform in this match?

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Tim Seifert has the third-most runs in NZ-IND T20Is (477). He averages 34.07 with a strike rate of 152.88. This includes five fifties in 16 matches.
• Ishan Kishan strikes at 162.44 in 12 T20Is against New Zealand (372 runs, avg. 31). Overall this year, Kishan has smashed 1,760 T20 runs at an average of 38.3 and strike rate of 175.5.

Key batter picks:

• Finn Allen will look to go after the Bumrah-less India attack. Since the start of 2025, Allen has smashed 2,459 runs in all T20s at an average of 31.1 and strike rate of 187.4.
• Daryl Mitchell enjoys playing against India in ODIs, but he has one fifty in 20 T20Is against them. In three T20Is on this ground, Mitchell has scored 111 runs off 69 balls and has been dismissed just once.
• Abhishek Sharma’s battle against the New Zealand fast bowlers will make for fascinating viewing. In 49 T20s this year, Abhishek is striking at 202.8 with 1,519 runs to his name.
• Shreyas Iyer was India’s best with the bat in England earlier this year. He hit 218 runs at an average of 54.50 and strike rate of 157.97 in conditions that suited the quicks.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Pick at least one of Glenn Phillips or Michael Bracewell in your Dream11 teams. India are expected to have at least five left-handers in their top eight, so their offspin will came in handy. Bracewell has 10 wickets in eight T20Is at Christchurch at an average of 15.80 and economy of 6.08.
• Mitchell Santner has 23 wickets against India at a strike rate of 24.52. He has an excellent head-to-head record against Sanju Samson in all T20s: 29 balls, 18 runs, three wickets.

Key bowler picks:

• Bhuvneshwar Kumar should enjoy the Christchurch conditions. He has dismissed Finn Allen twice in five balls in T20s.
• Lockie Ferguson will hit the pitch hard in the middle overs and can take wickets at the death. He has four wickets in three T20Is at Christchurch (avg. 20, econ. 6.67).
• Matt Henry conceded 11.83 per over in four T20Is against India earlier this year. But these conditions will be different and he can be a handful with the new ball, especially if New Zealand bowl first.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Sanju Samson.
• Axar Patel.
• Devon Conway.
• Arshdeep Singh.
• Jacob Duffy (if selected).
• Kyle Jamieson.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head in T20Is: Matches 31, New Zealand 11, India 19, one tie.
• There has not been a 200+ score in the last eight T20Is in New Zealand.
• Devon Conway has an outstanding record in T20Is at Christchurch: 6 inns, 332 runs, avg. 110.67, SR 133.87.
• Mitchell Santner vs. Sanju Samson in all T20s: 29 balls, 18 runs, three wickets.
• Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs. Finn Allen in all T20s: five balls, seven runs, two wickets.
• Arshdeep Singh vs. Finn Allen in all T20s: 27 balls, 56 runs, one wicket.
• Axar Patel vs. Daryl Mitchell in all T20s: 28 balls, 34 runs, three wickets.

NZ vs IND 1st T20 2026 Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2: