The India New Zealand tour 2026 begins with the opening ceremony in the newly inaugurated ODI BCA Stadium in Vadodara. It is the first ever men’s international match at the venue, which sets the stage for two of the world’s most consistent ODI sides. led by India Shubman Gillenters the series with a strengthened cast of returning veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. led by New Zealand Michael Bracewellwill be looking to break their recent winless streak against the Men in Blue in this format.
IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Match details
- Date and Time: January 11 (Sunday); 13:30 IST / 8:00 GMT / 21:00 NZDT
- Location: BCA Stadium (Kotambi), Vadodara
Head-to-Head Record (ODI):
Matches played: 120 | India won by: 62 | New Zealand won: 50 | No Results/Closed: 8
BCA Stadium, Vadodara Pitch Report
As this is the debut men’s international match at the BCA Stadium, the pitch remains a bit of a mystery, although early indications from domestic matches suggest it is a batting-friendly surface with a fast pitch. The track is expected to offer a real bounce and this will favor the batsmen Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Historically, the fresh surfaces in Gujarat have provided some initial traction for the seamers, but as the match progresses, the spinners will find a grip. As the match is a Day/Night game, dew is expected to be a significant factor in the second innings and make the toss crucial. The captain who wins the toss will likely opt to bowl first to take advantage of easier chasing conditions under lights.
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India vs New Zealand: Team dynamics and key players
India: The hosts boast a star-studded line-up Shubman Gill leads to return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and on top provides great stability Shreyas Iyerreturning from injury as vice-captain adds depth to the middle order. The bowling attack is a mix of experience and youth Muhammad Siraj Jasprit leads the pace battery in Bumrah’s absence. It looks huge in the spin department Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadejaboth are expected to develop on the Vadodara surface.
New Zealand: The BlackCaps come with a balanced squad known for their tactical discipline. captain Michael Bracewell and Devon Conway while explosive, the shot will anchor Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips provide the final shot. Their tempo attack, featuring Kyle Jamieson and express pace Zach Foulkeswill look to use any early moisture. New Zealand’s success will depend, in particular, on how good their spinners are Adithya AshokThe crucial middle could contain the Indian middle order in the transition phase.
IND vs NZ, 1st ODI: Today’s Match Prediction
Case 1:
- India win the toss first
- New Zealand powerplay score: 45-55 (10 overs)
- New Zealand total score: 265-280
Case 2:
- New Zealand go first in the toss
- India powerplay score: 55-65 (10 overs)
- India total score: 300-320
Match result: India won the competition
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