It’s almost the end of December 2025 and two things are looking good for India as the New Zealand T20 series begins in 2026. Not only is the T20 series vs New Zealand the first T20 series of 2026 for Team India, but it is also the last T20 series before the Indian team prepares for the biggest showdown of the year, the 2026 T20 World Cup.
BCCI has earlier announced the official squad for Team India for the 2026 T20 World Cup and the same squad will continue for the T20 series against New Zealand. The side saw some really interesting changes as BCCI took a big step by dropping vice-captain Shubman Gill, and also Jitesh Sharma as the second wicketkeeper in the side. In their place, BCCI selected Ishan Kishan and Rinku Singh in the squad.
With a few good chances alongside, Team India will have a good chance in their team (thankfully positive chances). But with Gill and Jitesh out, what does the 11 look like for Team India against a strong New Zealand side? Let’s take a look at the official 2026 India vs New Zealand T20 series roster and the best predicted matchday 11 for both teams.
India vs New Zealand 2026 Official T20 squad for the Indian team
Batters
- Abhishek Sharma
- Rinku Singh
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Tilak Varma
World Cups
- Ishan Kishan
- Sanju Samson
All-rounders
- Axar Patel
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dubey
- Washington Sundar
Bowlers
- Arshdeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- jasprit bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakraborty
Starting with the opening combination, Team India will once again return to the tried and tested opening combination that they have been playing successfully for the last 1-2 years. So with Shubman Gill left out, India will play Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson as their opening combination going forward. It’s a pretty successful and aggressive opening combination – the one that has given them good opening starts.
Coming to the middle order, things seem to be settled again with Tilak Varma or Suryakumar Yadav at 3 or 4 depending on the match situation. Similarly, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will play the role of floater at 5-6-7. This flexibility in the lineup, with players bringing different skills to the table, makes this lineup one of the most dangerous batting lineups in the world.
In the bowling department, Team India will stick to the opening combination of 3 pace and 3 spin. Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya will lead Team India’s pace department. While the spin department will be led by Varun Chakravarthy, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel. This is the most powerful bowling line-up you could wish for. The team also has the flexibility to play Kuldeep ahead of Arshdeep on rotating tracks.
India vs New Zealand 2026 T20 Series Best predicted matchday 11 for Indian team
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Tilak Varma
- Axar Patel
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dubey
- Washington Sundar
- jasprit bumrah
- Arshdeep Singh
- Varun Chakraborty
India vs New Zealand 2026 Official T20 Squad and Player List for NZ
Batters
- Mark Kapman
- Tim Robinson
Wicketkeepers
All-rounders
- Michael Bracewell
- Bevo Jacobs
- Daryl Mitchell
- James Neesham
- Glenn Phillips
- Rachin Ravindra
- Mitchell Santner (C)
- Zakary Foulkes
Bowlers
- Jacob Duffy
- Matt Henry
- Kyle Jamieson
- Ish Sodhi
When we talk about New Zealand’s best playing 11 for the T20 series, we look at Tim Robinson and Devon Conway as openers. Rachin Ravindra should play at 3, Daryl Mitchell or Mark Chapman at 4 or 5. Glenn Phillips, James Neesham and Mitchell Santner should concentrate on finishing duties. For the bowling: Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and James Neesham and Glenn Phillips.
India vs New Zealand 2026 T20 Series Best predicted matchday 11 for Indian team
- Devon Conway
- Tim Robinson
- Rachin Ravindra
- Mark Kapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- James Neesham
- Mitchell Santner (C)
- Jacob Duffy
- Matt Henry
- Ish Sodhi
India vs New Zealand 2026 T20 Series Schedules
| Agreement type | Date | City | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Wednesday January 21, 2026 | Nagpur | 7:00 PM (local) |
| 2nd T20I | Fri January 23, 2026 | Raipur | 7:00 PM (local) |
| 3rd T20I | Sun January 25, 2026 | Guwahati | 7:00 PM (local) |
| 4th T20I | Wednesday January 28, 2026 | Visakhapatnam | 7:00 PM (local) |
| 5th T20I | Sat January 31, 2026 | Thiruvananthapuram | 7:00 PM (local) |
So that’s about the best predicted 11 for the Indian cricket team vs New Zealand T20 series. Thanks for reading. What is your ideal playing number 11 for the 2026T20 India vs New Zealand series? Share your thoughts at business@cricalytics.com or in the comment section below.
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