New Zealand vs India – 1st T20I Date: 22 October 2026 Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand Time: 8:00 PM NZDT / 12:30 PM IST Series: 5-Match T20I Series (0–0) New Zealand and India face off in the opening T20I of the five-match series. India will begin their New Zealand tour with the aim of securing an early advantage, while New Zealand will look to make the most of their home conditions and start the series with a victory. Both teams will aim to build momentum in the opening encounter as the series begins in Christchurch. India will face the challenge of adapting to New Zealand's conditions, while the hosts will look to capitalize on their familiarity with the pitch and local weather. Key players: Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah (India); Mitchell Santner, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (New Zealand).