New Zealand Cricket has unveiled an action-packed home schedule for the 2026-27 season, with a highly anticipated multi-format series against India set to be the centrepiece of the summer.
The tour, scheduled between October and December 2026, will see India play five T20 Internationals, five One-Day Internationals, and two Test matches across New Zealand’s major cricket venues. With a total of 12 matches, it is expected to become the largest inbound international tour ever hosted by New Zealand in terms of fixtures.
Cricket enthusiasts looking to follow every match, score update, and series development can stay informed through Live Cricket Score throughout the tour.
India Return to New Zealand for a Major Series
India’s last visit to New Zealand for a Test tour came during the 2019-20 season. Since then, the Black Caps have travelled to India on multiple occasions, including a memorable 2024-25 campaign where they secured a historic 3-0 Test series victory.
Now, New Zealand fans will finally get the opportunity to watch India compete on their home soil once again in what promises to be one of the most significant bilateral series of the year.
The white-ball leg will begin in late October before the action shifts to the longer format, with Test matches scheduled in Wellington and Christchurch.
ODI Series Could Feature Kohli and Rohit
One of the biggest attractions of the tour could be the possible participation of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the ODI series.
The legendary duo have stepped away from other white-ball formats but remain available for One-Day International cricket. With the ICC Cricket World Cup approaching in 2027, the five-match ODI series is expected to provide valuable preparation for both teams.
Their presence would undoubtedly add even more excitement to an already high-profile contest.
Renewing a Growing Rivalry
India and New Zealand have developed one of international cricket’s most compelling rivalries in recent years.
The two sides most recently met in the final of the T20 World Cup, further intensifying competition between them. Earlier in the year, New Zealand toured India for a white-ball series consisting of eight matches.
While the Black Caps emerged victorious in the ODI leg by a 2-1 margin, India responded emphatically in the T20Is, claiming a dominant 4-1 series victory.
With recent encounters producing memorable contests, expectations will be high for another entertaining showdown.
India Tour of New Zealand 2026-27 Schedule
T20 International Series
- October 22 – 1st T20I, Christchurch
- October 24 – 2nd T20I, Christchurch
- October 27 – 3rd T20I, Wellington
- October 30 – 4th T20I, Auckland
- November 1 – 5th T20I, Hamilton
One-Day International Series
- November 4 – 1st ODI, Auckland
- November 7 – 2nd ODI, Wellington
- November 10 – 3rd ODI, Hamilton
- November 13 – 4th ODI, Tauranga
- November 15 – 5th ODI, Tauranga
Test Series
- November 19-23 – 1st Test, Wellington
- November 27-December 1 – 2nd Test, Christchurch
The schedule ensures that fans across the country will have an opportunity to witness one of cricket’s biggest rivalries live.
Busy Summer Continues Beyond India Tour
New Zealand’s international commitments do not end with India’s visit.
The White Ferns are scheduled to host Bangladesh for a series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. Adjustments have also been made to the women’s calendar following changes to the ICC Women’s T20 Champions Trophy schedule, which has been moved to February.
As a result, New Zealand Women’s planned tour of Australia will be rearranged for a later date.
Tests in Australia and Sri Lanka Series Await
Following the home series against India, New Zealand’s men’s team will head across the Tasman Sea for a four-Test series against Australia.
After completing that demanding tour, the Black Caps will return home to host Sri Lanka in another full international series.
The Sri Lanka tour will begin with three ODIs and three T20Is during January 2027 before concluding with a two-match Test series later in the summer.
NZC Excited for Landmark Tour
New Zealand Cricket officials believe India’s visit will be one of the biggest sporting events hosted in the country in recent years.
Glenn Critchley, NZC’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, described the upcoming series as an opportunity to celebrate the growing cricketing relationship between the two nations.
He also emphasized the enormous global interest generated whenever India tours overseas, noting that players such as Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah attract passionate support wherever they play.
According to NZC, preparations are already underway to ensure the tour delivers a memorable experience both on and off the field.
A Summer Cricket Fans Won’t Want to Miss
With India, Bangladesh, Australia, and Sri Lanka all featuring in New Zealand’s international schedule, the 2026-27 season is shaping up to be one of the busiest and most exciting in the country’s cricket history.
However, the headline attraction remains India’s 12-match visit, a tour that combines star power, fierce competition, and crucial World Cup preparation.
For cricket fans around the world, the India-New Zealand series promises high-quality action across all three formats and could easily become one of the standout international contests of the year.
