India Tour of New Zealand 2026: Full Schedule, Squads and Dates
India vs New Zealand 2026: Check the complete ODI and Test schedule, match dates, venues, Indian squads, captaincy changes and Rishabh Pant's fitness update.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India's squads for the upcoming ODI and Test series against New Zealand. The tour includes five One Day Internationals and two Test matches, following the T20I leg of India's visit.
The squad announcement, made on October 16, 2026, includes several important developments. Shubman Gill will lead India in the first three ODIs and the Test series, while Shreyas Iyer will captain the team in the final two ODIs.
The Test squad also features the return of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been selected subject to fitness clearance, making his availability an important point to watch before the red-ball series.
With senior players such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli included in the ODI squad, the tour will provide India with an opportunity to prepare for future international assignments while testing its combination across formats.
India vs New Zealand 2026: Important Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Touring team | India |
| Host team | New Zealand |
| ODI matches | 5 |
| Test matches | 2 |
| First ODI | November 4, 2026 |
| First Test | November 19, 2026 |
| ODI captain, first three matches | Shubman Gill |
| ODI captain, final two matches | Shreyas Iyer |
| Test captain | Shubman Gill |
| Test vice-captain | KL Rahul |
The ODI series will take place from November 4 to November 15, followed by the two-match Test series beginning on November 19.
India vs New Zealand 2026: Full ODI Schedule
The five-match ODI series will be played across Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui.
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | November 4, Wednesday | Auckland | 7:30 AM |
| 2nd ODI | November 7, Saturday | Wellington | 7:30 AM |
| 3rd ODI | November 10, Tuesday | Hamilton | 7:30 AM |
| 4th ODI | November 13, Friday | Mount Maunganui | 7:30 AM |
| 5th ODI | November 15, Sunday | Mount Maunganui | 7:30 AM |
All five ODIs are scheduled to begin at 7:30 AM Indian Standard Time. The early start is due to the time difference between India and New Zealand.
India vs New Zealand 2026: Full Test Schedule
India will play two Tests against New Zealand after the ODI series.
| Match | Dates | Venue | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | November 19–23 | Wellington | 3:30 AM |
| 2nd Test | November 27–December 1 | Christchurch | 3:30 AM |
The first Test will begin at Wellington's Basin Reserve, while Christchurch will host the second match.
The series will be important for India's campaign in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. Playing in New Zealand will also test India's batting and bowling combinations in conditions that can offer movement and bounce.
India ODI Squad for the First Three Matches
Shubman Gill will captain India in the opening three ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer serving as vice-captain.
The announced squad is:
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Shubman Gill (Captain)
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Rohit Sharma
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Virat Kohli
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Shreyas Iyer (Vice-captain)
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KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
-
Axar Patel
-
Naman Dhir
-
Anshul Kamboj
-
Gurnoor Brar
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Ruturaj Gaikwad
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Arshdeep Singh
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Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
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Mohammed Siraj
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Prasidh Krishna, subject to fitness clearance
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Kuldeep Yadav
The squad combines experienced international players with younger options. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain part of the ODI setup, while the inclusion of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir provides additional options in the team's balance.
Prasidh Krishna's availability is subject to fitness clearance.
India ODI Squad for the Fourth and Fifth Matches
The BCCI has announced a separate squad for the final two ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer taking over the captaincy and Ishan Kishan named vice-captain.
The squad is:
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Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
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Rohit Sharma
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Virat Kohli
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Tilak Varma
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Ishan Kishan (Vice-captain and wicketkeeper)
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
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Axar Patel
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Naman Dhir
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Auqib Nabi
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Gurnoor Brar
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Ruturaj Gaikwad
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Arshdeep Singh
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Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper)
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Mohammed Siraj
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Yash Thakur
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Kuldeep Yadav
The split squad arrangement gives India an opportunity to manage player workloads and assess different combinations during the five-match series. The captaincy change is one of the most notable aspects of the announcement.
India Test Squad for New Zealand 2026
Shubman Gill will lead India's 16-member Test squad, with KL Rahul appointed vice-captain.
The squad is:
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Shubman Gill (Captain)
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Yashasvi Jaiswal
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KL Rahul (Vice-captain)
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Devdutt Padikkal
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Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper, subject to fitness clearance)
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Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
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Ravindra Jadeja
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Anshul Kamboj
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Jasprit Bumrah
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Prasidh Krishna
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Akash Deep
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Sai Sudharsan
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Nitish Kumar Reddy
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Washington Sundar
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Kuldeep Yadav
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Mohammed Siraj
The squad includes a mix of specialist batters, wicketkeepers, pace bowlers and spin options. Rishabh Pant's fitness status will be monitored before the series, while Dhruv Jurel provides another wicketkeeping option.
Jasprit Bumrah Returns to India's Test Squad
One of the key developments is Jasprit Bumrah's return to the Test team.
Bumrah's pace, accuracy and ability to generate movement make him an important option for India in overseas conditions. New Zealand pitches can offer assistance to seam bowlers, particularly when conditions are overcast.
His inclusion strengthens India's pace-bowling options alongside Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Anshul Kamboj.
Bumrah has been selected for the Test series rather than the ODI squad. His workload will therefore be focused on the red-ball matches during this part of the tour.
Rishabh Pant's Fitness Update
Rishabh Pant has been included in the Test squad, subject to fitness clearance following a recent left-side strain.
Pant is known for his aggressive batting and ability to change the momentum of a Test innings. His wicketkeeping and batting provide India with a different option in the middle order.
However, his selection remains conditional. His final availability will depend on the fitness assessment, and Dhruv Jurel is also included as a wicketkeeper in the squad.
The final team combination will be clearer closer to the first Test.
Why Has Shreyas Iyer Been Named ODI Captain for the Final Two Matches?
Shubman Gill will captain the first three ODIs, while Shreyas Iyer will lead the final two matches.
The split arrangement is a notable feature of India's selection plan. It gives Iyer leadership responsibility in the latter part of the series while allowing Gill to focus on the opening matches and the Test assignment.
Ishan Kishan has been named vice-captain for the last two ODIs. The final playing combinations will depend on conditions, player availability and the team's requirements for each match.
Why Is the New Zealand Tour Important for India?
The tour will give India valuable opportunities to assess players in overseas conditions. The ODI series will also contribute to preparations for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
The presence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ODI squads adds experience, while the selection of younger players provides opportunities to strengthen squad depth.
The Test series carries a separate challenge. New Zealand's conditions can test batters against seam movement and challenge bowlers to maintain consistency across long spells.
India's ability to adapt to different conditions will be a central factor throughout the tour.
Where to Watch India vs New Zealand 2026 in India
The official television broadcast and digital live-streaming arrangements should be confirmed through the broadcasters and the BCCI closer to the series.
Because the matches will begin early in the morning in India, viewers should check the confirmed start time and platform for each fixture before match day.
The ODI matches are scheduled for 7:30 AM IST, while the Tests are scheduled to begin at 3:30 AM IST.
Final Thoughts
India's 2026 tour of New Zealand will feature five ODIs and two Tests, with the ODI series running from November 4 to November 15 and the Test series beginning on November 19.
The BCCI's squad announcement includes several important developments: Shubman Gill will captain the first three ODIs and the Test team, Shreyas Iyer will lead the final two ODIs, Jasprit Bumrah returns to the Test squad, and Rishabh Pant's selection is subject to fitness clearance.
The tour will provide India with an opportunity to assess squad depth, prepare for future international assignments and test its players in New Zealand conditions. Fans can follow the confirmed schedule and squad updates as the series approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When does India's 2026 tour of New Zealand begin?
The ODI series begins on November 4, 2026. The two-match Test series starts on November 19.
2. How many matches will India play against New Zealand?
The ODI and Test legs covered in this article include five ODIs and two Tests.
3. Who will captain India in the ODI series?
Shubman Gill will captain the first three ODIs, while Shreyas Iyer will lead the fourth and fifth matches.
4. Who is India's Test captain for the New Zealand tour?
Shubman Gill will captain the Test team, with KL Rahul as vice-captain.
5. Is Jasprit Bumrah part of the India ODI squad?
No. Bumrah has been selected for the Test squad and is not included in the announced ODI squads.
6. Has Rishabh Pant been selected for the Test series?
Yes, Pant has been named in the Test squad, subject to fitness clearance following a recent left-side strain.
7. When is the first India vs New Zealand ODI?
The first ODI is scheduled for November 4, 2026, in Auckland, beginning at 7:30 AM IST.
8. When is the first India vs New Zealand Test?
The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 19, 2026, at Wellington's Basin Reserve, with a 3:30 AM IST start.
9. Are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli included in the ODI squads?
Yes. Both players are included in the squads announced for the ODI series.
10. Where will the second Test take place?
The second Test is scheduled for Christchurch from November 27 to December 1, 2026.
