In a major development ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the complete schedule for an extensive white-ball series against New Zealand.

India gears up for T20 World Cup 2026 with white-ball series against New Zealand

The announcement was made during the BCCI’s 28th Apex Council Meeting, confirming that the bilateral contest will feature a total of eight matches, three One Day Internationals (ODIs) followed by five T20 Internationals (T20Is). The series is set to commence on January 11, 2026, and will serve as a pivotal phase in India’s preparation for the global event, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March.

The tour will kick off with the ODI series, which is likely to see the return of Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohliboth of whom have retired from Test and T20 formats but are expected to remain active in ODIs. The first ODI will be held in Baroda on January 11, followed by matches in Rajkot on January 14 and Indore on January 18. These matches will provide India with an opportunity to refine its 50-over strategies, especially with experienced players anchoring the lineup during a transition phase in leadership and team composition.

T20I series under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership to finalize India’s world cup core

Following the ODI segment, the focus will shift to the much-anticipated T20I leg of the series, scheduled from January 21 to January 31, 2026. This phase will be especially significant, as it marks India’s final international engagement before entering the high-stakes arena of the T20 World Cup. The Indian team will be led by Suryakumar Yadavwhose aggressive stroke-play and innovative leadership have earned him the captain’s armband for the shortest format.

The five-match series begins with the first T20I in Nagpur on January 21, followed by the second in Raipur on January 23. Guwahati will host the third match on January 25, with the tour culminating in back-to-back T20Is in Vizag on January 28 and Trivandrum on January 31. These matches will not only help India finalize its core squad for the World Cup but also offer fringe players a chance to push for inclusion in the final 15.

New Zealand tour of India 2026: Complete schedule and venue details