Table of Contents
NZ vs IND Fantasy Team – Match Details
Match: NZ vs IND
Tournament: India tour of New Zealand 2026
Match: 1st T20I
Date: Thursday, 22 October 2026
Time: 12:30 PM IST (8:00 PM local time)
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Home Team: New Zealand
Away Team: India
This is the first of five T20Is. India come in after a 2-2 draw with West Indies at home, where the last game was washed out in Bengaluru. New Zealand have not had their full T20 side together since India beat them in the T20 World Cup final in March.
Recent Form
India (West Indies series, October 2026):
- 5th T20I, Bengaluru: No result (rain). India 118/5 in 7.4 overs. Ishan Kishan 30, Naman Dhir 24 not out.
- 4th T20I, Hyderabad: Lost by 24 runs. West Indies 247/3, India 223 all out. Sanju Samson 56 off 23, Tilak Varma 43 off 25, Nitish Kumar Reddy 41 off 20.
- 3rd T20I, Indore: Won by 14 runs. Abhishek Sharma 69 off 30, Arshdeep Singh 3/44.
- 2nd T20I, Ranchi: Lost by 6 wickets. Samson 82 off 41.
New Zealand:
- 8 Mar, T20 World Cup final vs India: Lost by 96 runs. India 255/5, New Zealand 159 all out. Tim Seifert 52 off 26, Mitchell Santner 43 off 35.
- Since then, New Zealand have played T20Is against South Africa and Bangladesh with mostly second string sides.
Series Score
This is the first match of the five game series, so it is 0-0.
NZ vs IND Head To Head
India have won 8 of the last 10 T20Is between these sides. That includes the T20 World Cup final in March and at least three wins in the five match series in January 2026.
NZ vs IND Squads
India: Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma (VC), Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Devon Conway, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Bevon Jacobs, Zak Foulkes, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, Adam Milne
Team news: Rachin Ravindra is out with a dislocated shoulder. Adam Milne is back in the New Zealand squad. For India, Arshdeep Singh hurt his shoulder in the 4th T20I against West Indies, so check his fitness at the toss.
Pitch Report
Hagley Oval usually has a bit of grass and some bounce, which helps the fast bowlers early. The average first innings score in T20Is here is about 161, and teams batting first have won a little more often than chasing teams.
For fantasy, pick at least three fast bowlers who bowl with the new ball. India passed 220 three times in the West Indies series, but this ground is harder for batting than the Indian pitches. Around 175 looks like a good total.
Weather Report
Christchurch evenings in late October are usually cool and can be windy. Check the forecast closer to the start for any rain.
Probable Playing XIs
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (WK), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav
If Arshdeep is not fit, Bhuvneshwar Kumar should play. Varun Chakaravarthy is another spin option. Final XIs come at the toss.
Top Fantasy Picks
- Sanju Samson (IND, wicketkeeper): 82 off 41 and 56 off 23 against West Indies, and 89 off 46 in the World Cup final against New Zealand.
- Abhishek Sharma (IND, all rounder): 69 off 30 in Indore and 52 off 21 in the World Cup final. Can bowl an over or two of spin.
- Tim Seifert (NZ, wicketkeeper): 52 off 26 in New Zealand’s last full T20I. Opens the batting.
- Mitchell Santner (NZ, all rounder): 43 off 35 in the World Cup final and bowls four overs of left arm spin.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy (IND, all rounder): 41 off 20 in the 4th T20I and bowls seam, which should help on this ground.
- Ishan Kishan (IND, wicketkeeper): 54 off 25 in the World Cup final against New Zealand and 30 in the last game.
- Axar Patel (IND, all rounder): 3/27 in the World Cup final against New Zealand.
NZ vs IND Fantasy Team: Small Leagues
Wicketkeepers: Sanju Samson (C), Tim Seifert
Batters: Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Daryl Mitchell
All rounders: Abhishek Sharma (Vc), Axar Patel, Mitchell Santner, Nitish Kumar Reddy
Bowlers: Matt Henry, Arshdeep Singh
Captain: Sanju Samson. 82, 56 and 89 in his last three full T20Is against good sides.
Vice captain: Abhishek Sharma. An all rounder who made 69 off 30 and 52 off 21 in recent games and can bowl too.
If Arshdeep does not play, take Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
NZ vs IND Fantasy Team: Grand Leagues
Wicketkeepers: Tim Seifert (Vc), Ishan Kishan
Batters: Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Tilak Varma
All rounders: Mitchell Santner (C), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Michael Bracewell
Bowlers: Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kuldeep Yadav
Captain: Mitchell Santner. An all rounder who made 43 in the World Cup final and bowls his full four overs. Few people will make him captain.
Vice captain: Tim Seifert. Top scored for New Zealand in their last full T20I with 52 off 26.
Differentials: Lockie Ferguson bowls fast and should like the bounce here. Glenn Phillips can bat anywhere and bowls off spin. Ishan Kishan made 54 off 25 in the World Cup final.
Also Read: Best Fantasy Apps 2026 — Free Contests, Referral Codes and Honest Reviews
Match Prediction
India have beaten New Zealand in most of their recent T20Is, including the World Cup final. Their top order of Abhishek, Samson and Kishan is in good touch. New Zealand will have home conditions and fast bowlers who like the bounce at Hagley Oval, and they are missing Rachin Ravindra. Our pick is India to win, but expect a closer game than in India.
Fantasy Cricket
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NZ vs IND Fantasy Team FAQs
Who will win New Zealand vs India 1st T20I today?
India have won 8 of the last 10 T20Is against New Zealand. We pick India.
What is the NZ vs IND Fantasy prediction?
In small leagues, go with Sanju Samson as captain and Abhishek Sharma as vice captain. In grand leagues, try Mitchell Santner as captain and Tim Seifert as vice captain.
What is the pitch report for Hagley Oval, Christchurch?
It helps the fast bowlers early with some bounce. The average first innings score is about 161, and around 175 looks like a good total.
What is the probable playing XI for New Zealand vs India 1st T20I?
New Zealand should be led by Mitchell Santner with Finn Allen and Tim Seifert at the top. India should be led by Shreyas Iyer, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar in if Arshdeep Singh is not fit. Final XIs come at the toss.
Who are the best captain and vice captain picks for NZ vs IND?
Abhishek Sharma, Mitchell Santner and Axar Patel are the best all rounder picks. Sanju Samson and Tim Seifert are also strong options.
What time does New Zealand vs India 1st T20I start?
The match starts at 12:30 PM IST on Thursday, 22 October 2026. That is 8:00 PM local time in Christchurch.
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