India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Prediction, Fantasy Cricket, Head to Head

On January 21, 2026, India and New Zealand will start their five-match Twenty20 International series at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Both teams are shifting their attention from the just-finished ODI series to the shortest format. New Zealand will try to put the hosts to the test early in the Twenty20 series, while India will hope for a solid start at home.

Key players like Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rinku Singh will be vital with bat and ball as India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, enters the first Twenty20 International. Players like Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, and Lockie Ferguson will try to create an impression for the visitors as New Zealand, led by captain Mitchell Santner. 

In the 25 T20 Internationals that India and New Zealand have previously played, India has won 14 of them, New Zealand has won 10, and one was tied. As a result, while recent matches have been competitive, India has a slight advantage in previous T20 matchups. As New Zealand want to get off to a solid start in this crucial series and India hopes to gain momentum, an exciting first Twenty20 International is anticipated.

India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Match Details:

Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium Pitch Report:

Run-scoring is frequently seen as a breeze at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, which is renowned for having one of the flattest fields in the nation. The pitch's batting-friendliness has led to several high-scoring thrillers at the stadium, but it also provides enough support for the spinners, particularly those who want to give the ball wing and deliver it more slowly through the air.

India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Head to Head:

India vs New Zealand Predicted Playing XI:

IND: Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav (captain), and Varun Chakravarthy

NZ: Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Mitchell Santner (captain), and Devon Conway (wicketkeeper)

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