India and New Zealand are ready to begin their 2026 campaign with the first ODI of the series at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium in Vadodara on Sunday, January 11. This will be their first ODI meeting since the Champions Trophy 2025 final, where India defeated New Zealand to lift the title.

India enjoyed a strong run in ODI cricket last year, winning most of their matches and ending the year as champions of an ICC tournament. While Rohit Sharma led the team to glory in 2025, Shubman Gill is expected to take charge this year. The young captain will aim to start his leadership journey with a confident performance at home.

New Zealand were equally impressive in 2025, winning 17 of their 20 ODI matches. However, they were unable to get the better of India during the year. Led by Michael Bracewell, the Black Caps will be keen to change that record and make a strong start to the new year against a familiar rival.

IND vs NZ: Head-to-Head Record in ODIs

• Matches Played: 120
  
• India Won: 62
  
• New Zealand Won: 50
  
• Tied / No Result: 8
  

IND vs NZ: Pitch Report

This will be the first men’s ODI at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium. In the women's ODIs played here, teams batting first have had success. The pitch is expected to assist the batters early before getting slower in the latter part of the match. Hence, captains might opt to bat first and put runs on the board.

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IND vs NZ: Predicted Playing XIs

India (IND):

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand:

Devon Conway (WK), Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell (C), Glenn Phillips, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok, Michael Rae, Jayden Lennox

New Zealand Cricket has announced two separate squads for the coming white-ball tour of India, scheduled for January 2026. The Black Caps will be playing a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20 International series. The squads show a clear concern for workload, injuries, and preparations for the impending ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

The ODI series will begin on January 11, whereas the matches of the T20 Internationals will commence on January 21. The T20I leg is especially important, as it will be New Zealand’s final series before the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.

Several big names are missing from parts of the tour, which has drawn attention. New Zealand Cricket has made it clear that player workload, injuries, and availability have all played a role in shaping the squads for the India series.

Kane Williamson Misses ODIs, Bracewell to Lead

For the ODI series, regular captain Mitchell Santner has been rested, and all-rounder Michael Bracewell will lead the side. Senior players Kane Williamson, Matt Henry, Mark Chapman, and Rachin Ravindra are either rested or unavailable. Williamson’s absence is the biggest talking point, with New Zealand Cricket confirming he will miss the series due to his SA20 commitments after signing with Durban Super Giants as a replacement player.

Injuries have also affected selection plans. Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, and Mark Chapman are continuing rehabilitation, while Ben Sears is still recovering after his time in Melbourne. However, despite all these Injury setbacks, some experienced players, such as Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, and Will Young, have retained their spots in the ODI team.

A major positive for the team is the presence of Jayden Lennox, who has deservedly earned his first international selection. The batter has been rewarded for strong domestic performances. Head coach Rob Walter said Lennox has been monitored for some time, pointing to his New Zealand A displays and consistent white-ball form. For the T20Is, Santner returns as captain, leading a strong squad that includes Devon Conway, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra.

New Zealand ODI Squad for India Tour 2026

Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay (wk), Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, and Will Young.

New Zealand T20I Squad for India Tour 2026

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, and Ish Sodhi.

New Zealand has been dealt a huge blow before the ICC Champions Trophy final against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Their main fast bowler, Matt Henry, has been sidelined with a shoulder injury he sustained during the semifinal against South Africa.

Henry was injured while attempting a catch to get Heinrich Klaasen out in South Africa's pursuit of 363 in Lahore. He landed awkwardly and had to retire from the field but came back to bowl two additional overs. But he won't be fit for the last match. Nathan Smith has been appointed as his replacement.

MATT HENRY RULED OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY FINAL 📢 pic.twitter.com/z73e3Ts6OG

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 9, 2025

Henry has been New Zealand's top bowler in the tournament, topping the wicket table with 10 wickets from four games at a rate of 16.70. He also bowled well against India in the group stage, taking five wickets for 42 runs, though New Zealand lost that game.

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With Henry gone, New Zealand's bowling unit will have to rise to the occasion against India's formidable batting order. His absence is a huge boon for India, as he was one of the Kiwis' main bowlers.

Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the final, which is going to be an exciting encounter. Watch this space for live updates on the IND vs. NZ match.

With each team playing at their optimum level, the ICC Champions Trophy final will be thrilling. India will be looking to win back the trophy after their past triumph in 2013, while New Zealand will be aiming to clinch their second ICC trophy. Cricket fans worldwide are already looking forward to finding out who wins on March 9.

Match Details:

India’s Playing XI:

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New Zealand’s Playing XI:

Key Players to Watch:

Match Preview and Key Battles:

The battle between India's solid batting order and New Zealand's ruthless bowling outfit will be the turning point in the final. Some key battles to look out for are:

• Virat Kohli and Matt Henry: How Kohli counterattacks New Zealand's seam bowlers will play a big part.
• Hardik Pandya and Glenn Phillips: These two all-rounders will likely take crucial roles through the middle overs.
• Mohammed Shami and Kane Williamson: Shami’s pace and swing against Williamson’s steady batting could define the game.
  

Match Overview

• Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
• Fixture: India vs New Zealand
• Venue: Dubai International Stadium
• Date: March 2, 2025

India’s Probable XI :

ALSO SEE: ECL 2025: Full Schedule, New Teams, Match Timings & Must-Watch Matches

New Zealand’s Probable XI :

Head-to-Head in ICC Tournaments

• Champions Trophy 2000 Final: New Zealand defeated India to win their first ICC trophy.
• World Cup 2019 Semi-final: New Zealand knocked out India in a thrilling low-scoring game.
• World Test Championship 2021 Final: New Zealand defeated India to claim the inaugural WTC title.

India will be eager to avenge past ICC defeats, while New Zealand will look to continue their dominance in knockout matches.

Prediction and Key Battles to Watch

• Kohli vs Williamson – A battle between two of the best No. 3 batters.
• Arshdeep vs Conway – Can Arshdeep swing the new ball past Conway?
• Santner vs Pant – Left-arm spin vs left-handed power-hitting.

Both teams have the firepower to win, but India’s spin depth and batting strength might give them a slight edge in UAE conditions.

India secured their place in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals after New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets in Rawalpindi on Monday in a comprehensive win. Rachin Ravindra made a stunning century after a scintillating bowling display from Michael Bracewell to help New Zealand overpower Bangladesh. The victory also saw New Zealand secure their place in the knockout stages of the tournament as the second team from Group A. But it also left Bangladesh and Pakistan out of the tournament since the two teams already have two defeats apiece. India will host New Zealand in their last group stage game and Bangladesh will face Pakistan but both matches will serve no purpose aside from determining who will lead the group to the semifinals.

INDIA WILL PLAY THE FIRST SEMI-FINAL ON MARCH 4 AT DUBAI...!!!! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/8PrEh4ZHvR

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 24, 2025

ALSO SEE: Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Nightmare: First Team Eliminated After 29-Year Wait

March 2nd - IND vs NZ.

March 4th - IND vs AUS/SA/AFG/ENG.

MISSION CHAMPIONS TROPHY IS ON 🙇 pic.twitter.com/Ctxze6u7O3

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 24, 2025

New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in a Group A Champions Trophy game here on Monday, a triumph that placed the Kiwis and India in the Champions Trophy semifinals. The victory ensured Bangladesh and the two-time defending champions Pakistan, having lost both of their two games till date, were eliminated from the tournament.

India and New Zealand both have four points apiece from two victories till now in Group A. The top two teams of each group advance to the semifinals.

The anticipation is building as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, scheduled in the USA and West Indies. New Zealand has become the first of the 20 teams to announce their squad, led by the seasoned Kane Williamson. Despite their consistent performances in international cricket, the Black Caps are still searching for their first T20 World Cup title.

New Zealand’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad is a blend of experience and youth, equipped with a strong bowling attack and seasoned campaigners. While they have some weaknesses, such as the lack of individual match-winners and limited wicketkeeping options, the opportunities and strengths they possess make them formidable contenders.

New Zealand’s T20 World Cup Journey

New Zealand has always been a strong contender in the T20 World Cup, yet surprisingly, they have only reached the final once, in 2021, where they lost to Australia. The team has shown resilience and determination, which will be crucial as they aim to capture their first title in the game’s shortest international format.

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SWOT analysis of New Zealand squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Strengths

One of New Zealand’s significant strengths lies in its experienced players. Kane Williamson will be making his sixth appearance in the T20 World Cup, having already led the Kiwis to their maiden World Test Championship (WTC) title in 2021.

Tim Southee is set for his seventh appearance, and Trent Boult, making his fifth, brings a wealth of experience and expertise. Additionally, the spin duo of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, with over 100 T20 matches, adds to the team’s robust lineup.

New Zealand boasts a formidable bowling attack. Tim Southee will spearhead the pace department, which includes Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson. Southee’s knack for picking up crucial wickets and Boult’s ability to trouble batters in the powerplay make them a lethal combination.

The spin unit, featuring Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, is also a key strength. Santner’s economical spells and the slow wickets in the Caribbean will likely favor him. Glenn Phillips adds depth to the bowling lineup, offering additional options.

Weaknesses

While New Zealand excels as a cohesive unit, they lack individual match-winners who can single-handedly change the game’s outcome. The spinner should be economical, and control of the middle overs will be crucial, especially on the slow Caribbean pitches. In a format like T20, having a player capable of turning the tide in their favor is invaluable. This absence could be a critical weakness, especially in high-pressure situations.

Opportunities

The upcoming T20 World Cup presents a golden opportunity for New Zealand to break their knockout stage jinx. Entering every tournament as favorites, the Kiwis often need to catch up in the knockout rounds.

With veterans like Kane Williamson and Tim Southee potentially making their last T20 World Cup appearance, this could be their chance to secure a historic win and add another major title to their achievements.

The batting lineup includes some prolific names. Kane Williamson will lead from the front, supported by Devon Conway, who has been in exceptional form. Including players like Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman adds depth, with both capable of explosive batting in the middle order. All-rounders like Jimmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchell balance the side, offering both batting and bowling options.

Threats

A notable threat for New Zealand is the need for multiple wicketkeeping options. The squad has omitted Tim Seifert, leaving Devon Conway as the primary wicketkeeper. Conway, who recently recovered from a finger injury that sidelined him from IPL 2024, must shoulder the responsibility behind the stumps. Glenn Phillips is a secondary option, but he is not a regular wicketkeeper, which could pose a risk if Conway faces any fitness issues.

New Zealand’s batting strategy will revolve around building solid partnerships at the top while maintaining a steady run rate. With power hitters in the middle order, they aim to accelerate in the latter stages of the innings.

New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee. Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears