From October 22 to December 1 of this year, India will go to New Zealand for a lengthy all-format series that would include an unprecedented ten white-ball matches. This would be the largest men’s bilateral cricket series ever played in this nation.
India will play the Black Caps in two Test matches, five Twenty20 Internationals, and numerous One-Day Internationals in five main venues. The 12 games would be the most that a touring team has ever played in New Zealand’s history.
As the two countries commemorate 100 years of sporting ties, the series is expected to be a significant milestone. The inaugural Twenty20 International in Christchurch on October 22 will kick off the 40-day tour.
The ODI leg, which will begin on November 4 at Eden Park in Auckland, will come after the T20I series. The second and final Test will take place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1. The first Test will be place at the Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington from November 19 to November 23.
“When it comes to cricket, it simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other,” PTI quoted NZC Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Glenn Critchley as saying.
“This will be about more than just the cricket on the field — it will be a celebration of New Zealand’s shared history and culture with India, and our burgeoning rivalry and friendship through cricket.
“The passion and the following this team has is staggering — not to mention some of the players expected to tour such as Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah — so we’re bracing for the intensity and fandom that will accompany the tour,” he added.
India’s first Test tour of New Zealand since the 2019–20 season will take place during the series. New Zealand has since made two trips to India, including their historic 2024–2025 tour during which they swept the Test series 3-0.
Later in the year, as the country celebrates 100 years of sporting connections with India, the New Zealand government will fund the India tour along with other sporting tours.
“It’s always a special occasion playing India. They’re an unbelievable cricket team, full of talent and star power you know every time you face them it’s going to be seriously challenging. The rivalry we’ve built in recent years is pretty staggering and I’m sure this tour will deliver many more big moments,” New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi said.
“Then there’s the Indian fans and the energy and noise they bring, it really is like nothing else and something everyone should experience at least once in their life.”
At the age of four, Sodhi’s family relocated to New Zealand from Ludhiana, where he was born.
“I’m really proud of my Indian heritage and to represent my community out here in Papatoetoe today — literally just around the corner from where I grew up is so cool,” he said.
“To bring my worlds and cultures together here in South Auckland is special and I just can’t wait for the tour to kickstart the home summer.”
