New Zealand and India are scheduled to meet in the first Twenty20 International at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Thursday, 22 October 2026. The verified start is 07:00 UTC. The fixture is listed as the opening T20I of India in New Zealand.
Christchurch opener and tour schedule
The match page published by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) identifies both teams, Hagley Oval and Christchurch, alongside the first-T20I designation. Its separate tour announcement also lists Christchurch for the first T20I on 22 October 2026.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) says India will play five T20Is on the tour. The same announcement states that the Men’s Selection Committee has announced India and India A squads for New Zealand. India A will play three Multi-Day matches against New Zealand A.
Series launch in Victoria Square
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) says the BLACKCAPS T20I squad will attend a series launch at Christchurch’s Victoria Square on 21 October, the eve of the opening match. The announcement names the competition as the Hero VIDA T20I series, Powered by AI+ Nova Smartphone.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) describes the Hagley Oval opener as the first match of a 12-match series. Its launch announcement places the opening match on Thursday, 22 October, while the match listing supplies the 2026 fixture date.
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A batter shall be considered to be out of their ground unless some part of that batter’s person or bat is grounded behind the popping crease at that end. The positions of a bowling crease, a popping crease and two return creases shall be marked by white lines, as set out in 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4, at each end of the pitch.
