IND vs NZ Match Prediction: Who will win the 1st T20I? New Zealand tour of India 2026

IND vs NZ, 1st T20I will be played in Nagpur [Source: vivek23mishra, CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

India and New Zealand are set to take on each other in the first of the five-match T20I series in Nagpur, on January 21, as they look to find their rhythm in T20Is with the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

This series will be the last assignment for both teams before the start of the mega-event, where the defending champions will look to go back-to-back in the competition. On the other hand, as the Mitchell Santner-led team aims for their first-ever title, it will be a golden opportunity for them to derail India's preparations, while also building confidence heading into the tournament.

As the high-octane series commences in Nagpur, here's a brief look at what to expect from the game.

IND vs NZ current form (Last 5 T20Is)

IND vs NZ: Player Battles

Abhishek Sharma vs Matt Henry

The world number 1 T20I batter, Abhishek Sharma, is in the form of his life currently and with the T20 World Cup coming up, he will try to get back into his regular, swashbuckling rhythm after a short break from international cricket. On the other hand, Matt Henry is among the top new ball operators, who could get some early seam movement, courtesy of his disciplined lines and lengths. This face-off in the powerplay will be crucial for the respective teams.

Devon Conway vs Harshit Rana

The New Zealand opener Decon Conway started the India tour with a good fifty to his name, but eventually fizzled out, managing only 77 runs in three matches, where he fell prey to Harshit Rana in all three matches. These recent encounters with the Indian batter could play a role in how Conway plays against the bowler, where Rana can capitalise to put India in front.

Glenn Phillips vs Varun Chakravarthy

The explosive middle-order batter, who batted well to bail New Zealand out from a collapse in Indore with a century, is in great form and fared well against Kuldeep Yadav in the ODIs. However, here is will face number 1 bowler Varun Chakravarthy at the peak of his powers. 

The middle-overs battles will be crucial for the chances of both teams to determine how they start their final series ahead of the T20 mega-event.

India vs New Zealand top performers

Most runs for IND vs NZ (current players)

Among the current squad members, captain Suryakumar Yadav has the most runs against New Zealand, with 284 runs in 8 innings at a strike rate of 153.51. He has a fifty and a century to his name against the opposition.

Most wickets for IND vs NZ (current players)

Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah has picked 12 wickets in 10 matches against the Kiwis, while only conceding at an economy rate of 6.1 and an average of 19.33. His best figures read 19.33 against them.

Most runs for NZ vs IND (current players)

New Zealand’s star in the ODI series, Daryl Mitchell, has scored 241 runs in 14 T20I outings against India, with a strike rate of 133.88 and a fifty to his name.

Most wickets for NZ vs IND (current players)

Ish Sodhi, who is approaching Tim Southee’s record for the NZ bowler with most T20I scalps, has picked 25 wickets in 20 innings against India at an economy rate of 7.53 and best figures of 3/18.

India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I toss prediction

Historically, in T20I cricket, the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Nagpur offers help to the spinners and pacers, who can mix up their pace. Similar to most occasions, it is not expected to be a flat deck, with over 200 scores, and as the record suggests, 9/13 matches have been won by the team batting first. So, expect the winner of the toss to bat first here.

India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I - 1st innings score prediction

Powerplay – 52/1

End of the innings – 177/6

India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I – 2nd innings score prediction

Powerplay – 50/2

End of the innings – 165/8

India vs New Zealand, 1st T20I, top players predictions

India's top players prediction

Suryakumar Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy

New Zealand’s top players prediction

Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner

Who will hit the most sixes in IND vs NZ, 1st T20I?

Abhishek Sharma

Who will hit the most fours in IND vs NZ, 1st T20I?

Suryakumar Yadav

IND vs NZ Match winner prediction: Who will win IND vs NZ, 1st T20I?

The Indian team will be hurting after rather tame performances in the ODI series and would be raring to do better and bounce back in the T20Is, where a lot of fresh faces will be in the squad. 

Additionally, they are coming in from series wins against Australia and South Africa. With a lot of big players returning for the Blackcaps, expect a close contest, which could go down to the wire, but India will take the lead in this series.