After starting the year with a home series against New Zealand, the Men in Blue suffered a setback in the final match at Indore, losing the third ODI and conceding the series 1-2. With the focus now shifting towards T20Is and the upcoming T20 World Cup, fans are waiting to watch India return to the 50-over format and who they will face next. New Zealand’s India tour kicks off with a three-match ODI series that promises to deliver world-class cricketing action across some of India’s most iconic venues. The WPL 2026 is upon us, and in the very first match of the tournament, MI will take on RCB in Navi Mumbai, at 7.30 PM IST.

WPL 2026: Dates, schedule, venues, match timings, live streaming, squads and all you need to know

• India’s bowlers struggled to contain the middle overs, allowing the visitors to build an important partnership.
• Captain Suryakumar will be eager to regain his batting form ahead of leading the team in their World Cup title defense, which commences on February 7.
• Kohli will represent the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while Rohit Sharma will lead the Mumbai Indians in his hunt for a sixth IPL title.
• With both teams looking to fine-tune their combinations, the battle between India’s formidable batting lineup and the Black Caps’ disciplined bowling unit will be a treat for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Whether it’s T20s, ODIs, or Test matches, our live coverage ensures you never miss a moment of the action. Insights into next cricket match player performances, team strategies, and crucial match milestones give cricket enthusiasts the full picture, helping them stay ahead of the game while enjoying the thrill of live cricket. However, entrepreneurs like Sarvam AI’s Vivek Raghavan have argued that without sovereign AI models, the country will become a “digital colony”Global AI pioneers like Yoshua Bengio have previously highlighted the geopolitical implications of AI. The five-match T20I stretch will kick start from January 21 and run through January 31, taking the contest across Nagpur, Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram.

Queensland Fire vs South Australian Scorpions

Notably, it was India’s first home ODI defeat after winning the toss since October 2022 and New Zealand’s first-ever bilateral ODI series win in India. After taking a 1-0 lead, India failed to close out the series, allowing the Kiwis to bounce back strongly and win the next two matches. To keep up to date with all the developments that can affect the outcome of a cricket match, keep in mind the latest updates. The five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand will get underway on January 21. Finally, West Indies finish their season in New Zealand with a three‑Test series (Dec 2–18) in Christchurch, Wellington, and Mount Maunganui, bringing a thrilling end to the year. South Africa then tour England with three ODIs (Aug 31–Sep 7) and three T20Is (Sep 10–14).

Both teams have great history in the competition, having won two and one titles, respectively. Zimbabwe host South Africa in a two‑Test series from July 6, followed by a T20I tri‑series involving New Zealand and South Africa in Harare from July 14–26. Pakistan tour Bangladesh for a three‑T20I series starting July 20, while Australia and the West Indies simultaneously clash in a five-match T20I series from July 21–29. Later in the year, India will host the West Indies for another white-ball series, followed by a possible away ODI series against New Zealand in October-November. India’s ODI calendar for 2026 is expected to conclude with a three-match home series against Sri Lanka in December. In total, India is scheduled to play up to six bilateral ODI series in 2026, amounting to a possible 18 ODIs.

Pre-match insights highlight recent form, tactical battles, and historical head-to-head trends, giving context to what promises to be an intense showdown. Venue details, schedules, and expected line-ups complete the preview for cricket enthusiasts. According to the Future Tours Program ( ), Afghanistan is scheduled to tour India for a three-match ODI series in June 2026. This series will record India’s return to the ODI format after a long gap, and it is likely to see Kohli and Rohit back in national colours. Following the ODI setback, India will move away from the 50-over format for the next few months. The team is scheduled to play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which will also serve as a final preparation for the T20 World Cup beginning on February 7.

With India hosting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will kick off on Saturday, February 7, 2026, the series gains added significance as a key build-up phase. New Zealand will aim to sharpen adaptability and combinations, while both sides field squads blending experienced campaigners with emerging talent ahead of the global tournament. The India men’s team will begin its T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a packed group-stage schedule spread across multiple venues. Here is India’s complete match list, including dates, venues, group details and key fixtures, from the opening game to the knockouts.