Cricket fans, gear up for an exhilarating five-T20I series between India and New Zealand, starting January 21 in Nagpur. Following New Zealand’s ODI series win by 2-1, India is determined to strike back in T20 cricket, a format where they thrive on home pitches.
Positioned perfectly before the T20 World Cup, this series is more than just bilateral ties—it’s a confidence builder for the co-hosting Indians. Head-to-head stats favor India with 14 victories in 25 T20Is against New Zealand’s 10, plus one tie, but recent ODI heroics from the visitors signal caution.
The itinerary covers diverse Indian cities: Game 1 in Nagpur (Jan 21), Game 2 in Raipur (Jan 23), Game 3 in Guwahati (Jan 25), Game 4 in Visakhapatnam (Jan 28), and Game 5 in Thiruvananthapuram (Jan 31). Each match at 7 PM IST guarantees prime-time drama.
Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, includes dynamic opener Abhishek Sharma, middle-order anchors Shreyas Iyer (for first three), Hardik Pandya, and finishers Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube. The bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is complemented by Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Kuldeep Yadav, and Varun Chakaravarthy. Dual keepers Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan add versatility.
New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner-captained side boasts Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, and all-round threats like James Neesham and Daryl Mitchell. Their attack, with Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and spinners Ish Sodhi and Santner, poses serious questions.
With star power on both sides, tactical battles, and crowd fervor, this series promises edge-of-the-seat action. Can India avenge the ODI loss and gear up for World Cup glory?