Aakash Chopra picks India's playing XI for NZ vs IND 2026 1st T20I; surprisingly excludes star spinners
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns after nearly four years as India lean on pace and batting depth in seam-friendly conditions.
- On Thursday, October 22, 2026, India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bowl first against New Zealand in the opening T20 International at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
- India enters this five-match series following a 2-2 draw against the West Indies, with the team having barely two days to rest and acclimatise before the opener.
- Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to the playing eleven for his first international appearance since 2022, joining Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav in the pace attack.
- New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner described the pitch as "fresh" and expressed excitement for the series, noting the team's depth in pace bowling at home.
- This tour serves as critical preparation for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Australia and New Zealand in two years' time, as both teams build toward the tournament.
43 Articles
43 Articles
IND vs NZ 1st T20I LIVE Score: India win the toss in Christchurch, opt to bowl first
India begin their five-match T20I series against New Zealand in Christchurch on October 22, aiming to overcome travel fatigue and the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. Shreyas Iyer's side will also look to address middle-order inconsistency. Check live updates.
India vs New Zealand 1st T20I Playing 11: Samson-Abhishek to open, Bhuvneshwar set for return
India (IND) vs New Zealand (NZ) 1st T20I Playing 11 Today Match, Team Prediction, Full Squad, Players List: Captain Iyer has made it clear that the opening combination remains untouched, meaning Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may have to wait longer for a look-in.
NZ vs IND, 1st T20I preview: Sleep-deprived India face chilly Christchurch test
NZ vs IND, 1st T20I preview, and team news: India arrive in Christchurch short on sleep and preparation time after a hectic run of T20Is. Shreyas Iyer's men must quickly adapt to chilly, windy conditions against a New Zealand side.
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