India begin their 2026 cricket season against New Zealand in the first ODI at Vadodara. Check date, time, squads, venue and live telecast details.
New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell, may not have its strongest ODI lineup, but it remains a competitive unit.
India’s international cricket journey in 2026 begins with a home ODI series against New Zealand, and excitement is already building among fans. The three-match series opens on Sunday, January 11, with the first ODI set to be played at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. With Shubman Gill leading the side and senior stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back in focus, India will look to stamp authority early in the year.
This series holds significance for both teams. For India, it is about building on recent momentum and entering the new year with confidence. For New Zealand, the tour presents an opportunity for several players to impress, even as their main attention remains on the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The hosts enter the series with a balanced squad that mixes experience and youth. Gill’s leadership will be closely watched as he captains a side featuring proven match-winners across departments. India’s batting depth, supported by a strong bowling attack, gives them a clear edge at home.
New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell, may not have its strongest ODI lineup, but it remains a competitive unit. Players like Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips bring experience, while younger names will aim to seize their chances on Indian soil.
The first ODI between India and New Zealand will be played on Sunday, January 11.
The match will begin at 1:30 PM IST.
The toss for the opening ODI will take place at 1:00 PM IST, half an hour before the start of play.
The first ODI will be played at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. The match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network, allowing fans across the country to catch all the action.
The live streaming of the 1st ODI between India and New Zealand will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.
The three-match ODI series will begin on Sunday, January 11, and will be spread across three different venues in India.
India: Shubman Gill (captain), Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (captain), Devon Conway, Mitchell Hay, Nick Kelly, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Adithya Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Jayden Lennox, Michael Rae.
As India and New Zealand prepare for the series opener, the Vadodara clash promises competitive cricket and plenty of talking points. With star power on display and new combinations being tested, the first ODI is set to provide an engaging start to India’s cricket calendar in 2026.
