India vs New Zealand: First T20 Match Preview Ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2026
India's Final Preparations for T20 World Cup
As the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, the Indian cricket team is gearing up for its last series. The first match of the five-match T20 series against New Zealand is set to take place today, January 21, 2026, at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur, starting at 7 PM IST.
After facing defeat in the ODI series under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, the T20 format will now see Suryakumar Yadav taking the helm. This series is crucial for the Indian team as they prepare for the World Cup, marking their final home series before the tournament.
Projected Playing XI for India
India's Likely Playing XI for the 1st T20 vs New Zealand:
- Abhishek Sharma – Opener, aggressive batsman
- Sanju Samson (wk) – Wicketkeeper-batsman, explosive at the top
- Suryakumar Yadav (c) – Captain, middle-order specialist
- Shreyas Iyer – Provides stability in the middle order (included for the first three T20s)
- Hardik Pandya – All-rounder, finisher
- Axar Patel (vc) – All-rounder, contributes with spin and batting
- Rinku Singh – Finisher, impactful in the lower order
- Shivam Dube or Harshit Rana – Power hitter/pace option
- Jasprit Bumrah – Death bowler
- Arshdeep Singh – Swing and death bowling specialist
- Varun Chakravarthy or Kuldeep Yadav – Mystery spinner
(Note: Some sources suggest including Ishan Kishan or Ravi Bishnoi, but most predictions favor Abhishek and Sanju for opening, with SKY, Shreyas, and Hardik forming a strong middle order. Tilak Varma is out due to injury, leading to Shreyas Iyer's inclusion for the first three matches.)
Match Highlights
Venue: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur (typically batting-friendly pitch, but spinners may find assistance)
Importance of the Series: This series is significant as it leads up to the T20 World Cup 2026, where India will defend its title starting in February.
Live Streaming: Available on Star Sports Network and the JioCinema app.
Balanced Team Composition
The playing XI appears well-balanced, featuring speed at the top, explosive batting in the middle, depth from all-rounders, and a strong bowling attack led by Bumrah and Arshdeep. All eyes will be on SKY, who has been struggling in recent matches, but hopes are high for a strong comeback on home soil.