Team India will begin 2026 with an exciting home series against New Zealand. As per a Times of India report, the Kiwi side is scheduled to tour India in January for a limited-overs series featuring three ODIs and five T20 Internationals.
Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not officially announced the series, it is expected to begin on January 11 and conclude on January 30.
One of the major highlights will be the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who will be seen in action during the ODI series. Both legends have retired from T20Is and Test cricket, and are now focusing solely on the 50-over format.
New Zealand last toured India in 2024, where they stunned the hosts by winning the Test series 3-0 — a historic result that shattered India’s path to the World Test Championship final.
That dominant performance from the Black Caps remains fresh in memory, and India will look to settle the score in this upcoming series. While there are no Tests scheduled this time, the Men in Blue will aim to assert their dominance in white-ball cricket and start the year on a winning note.
In a shocking turn of events, India faced a 3-0 whitewash at home against New Zealand in the 2024 Test series — a result that has stunned fans and critics alike. This marked the first time the Indian team was clean-swept in a Test series on home soil, with the Kiwis delivering a commanding performance across all three matches.
Led by captain Kane Williamson, New Zealand displayed remarkable discipline in both batting and bowling. Their pace attack consistently troubled the Indian batters, while spinners kept the pressure on in turning conditions — an area where India has traditionally dominated. Indian batting, which was expected to be a stronghold, faltered repeatedly, with senior players failing to convert starts and the middle-order collapsing under pressure.
The series defeat not only raised questions about India’s Test strategy at home but also dealt a serious blow to their World Test Championship campaign.
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