Today marks the start of the five-match T20I series India and New Zealand. After a hard-fought ODI in which the Blackcaps made history by winning their first bilateral series in India, the focus shifts to the shortest format as both teams fine-tune their squads. 2026 T20 World Cup.
India will aim to extend their home advantage as a confident New Zealand pose a stiff challenge
India enters this series under leadership Suryakumar YadavLooking to maintain their dominant home record in T20Is. The hosts are strengthened by their comeback jasprit bumrah and Hardik Pandyawhile being explosive Abhishek Sharma is expected to set the tone at the top.
New Zealand, Captain Mitchell Santnercomes with high confidence. Their ability to adapt to Indian conditions was evident in ODIs and such players Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell in good form they represent a significant threat. Historically, Nagpur has not been a high-scoring venue, often favoring tactical bowling over raw power hitting, which often sets the stage for an exciting chess match between the two sides.
IND vs NZ, 1st T20I: Nagpur Weather Forecast
Cricket fans heading to the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium can breathe a sigh of relief as the weather in Nagpur will show no harm during the opening T20I between India and New Zealand. Conditions are expected to remain stable, paving the way for a full 40-run race with no breaks.
- Temperature: The temperature around 19°C during the match will create pleasant playing conditions for both teams. A relatively cool evening should help the players maintain intensity throughout the 40 innings.
- Humidity: Humidity levels are forecast to be around 58%, which could make the air feel humid. This can help sailors especially in the late stages of the game.
- Cloud cover: Cloud cover is expected to be around 44%, becoming partly cloudy in the evening. However, it is unlikely to affect gameplay.
- Rain: No rain is expected, with a forecast of 0.0mm of precipitation and a 0% chance of precipitation ensuring no weather interruptions.
IND vs NZ, 1st T20I: The Raw Factor
A mid-January evening dew in central India is expected to have a noticeable effect on the competition. With the temperature hovering around 19°C and humidity hovering around 58%, humidity is likely to settle on the pitch as the match progresses. This can make catching the ball difficult in the second innings, especially for spinners and finger bowlers.
As a result, the team batting second can have a slight advantage, the ball coming into the bat nicely under the lights. However, Nagpur’s wide pitch and traditionally slow surface can still keep the bowlers in the game, meaning it won’t be entirely easy to chase despite the dew.
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IND vs NZ, 1st T20I: Toss Prediction
The toss is expected to play a key role in Nagpur, with both historical trends and evening conditions likely to influence the captains’ decision.
- Raw Advantage: It is suitable. With humidity around 58% and temperatures dropping as the match progresses, dew is likely in the evening. Captains are expected to prefer bowling first to avoid the ‘soap ball’ problem while defending. However, Nagpur’s track record suggests that defense is achievable, especially with disciplined bowling and smart field placements.
- Batting or Bowling Paradise?: Good for bowling (relatively). The red clay surface at Jamtha usually provides good carry and bounce for the pacers before slowing down as the game progresses. Spinners often find grip in the middle overs, making it more of a tactical pitch than a high-scoring straight track.
- Dimensions: The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium is known for its huge boundaries that measure about 80 yards flat and about 85 yards square. It is difficult to clear the strings consistently, with more emphasis on batting rotation, athletic running between the wickets and tight defensive bowling.
Overall, the combination of dew, pitch behavior and sheer size suggests that batting and bowling first can offer a slight advantage.
Also READ: IND vs NZ 2026, T20I Series – India’s Best XI in First 3 Matches vs New Zealand
