The New Zealand men’s team will kick off their international home summer later this year by hosting India for an all-format tour from October 22 to December 1. The tour of 12 matches will feature five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests to be played across five major venues, making it the most number of international matches scheduled “for an in-bound tour in NZC history”, a New Zealand Cricket statement said.New Zealand will also host Sri Lanka for an all-format tour of three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests in late January and February to finish their home international summer that will see 42 days of international cricket across eight cities. The Sri Lanka series will take place once New Zealand return from an away tour of four Tests in Australia scheduled for December-January.
The India tour will begin in Christchurch’s Hagley Oval for the first two T20Is on October 22 and 24. Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton will then host the last three T20Is on October 27, 30 and November 1 respectively. After a two-day gap, the ODI series will begin on November 4 in Auckland, followed by the second ODI in Wellington (November 7), the third in Hamilton (November 10), and the last two in Mount Maunganui (November 13 and 15).
The Test series will start in Wellington on November 19, followed by the second game in Christchurch starting November 27.
“The New Zealand government will be supporting the in-bound India tour alongside adjacent sporting tours by India later in the year, as 100 years of sporting ties between New Zealand and India are commemorated,” the NZC statement said.
The home season will also see the return of Sky New Zealand as the host broadcaster of NZC’s international fixtures for the next six seasons.
Once the New Zealand side returns from Australia after the tour concludes with the SCG Test scheduled from January 4 to 8, they will host Sri Lanka, starting with the ODI series from January 16 (Napier), followed by the second and third ODIs on January 19 (Wellington) and 22 (Dunedin). The first T20I will be played on January 26 (Christchurch) before the last two are played on January 29 and 31, both in Nelson. The two Tests are scheduled to start on February 4 (Mount Maunganui) and February 12 (Hamilton).
The New Zealand women’s team, meanwhile, will host Bangladesh for three T20Is and as many ODIs from December 10 to 23, their only series in the home summer. As the inaugural T20 Champions Trophy for women has been moved to February 2027 from its original window of June 2027, New Zealand’s tour of Australia around the same time will be rescheduled.
“It simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other,” NZC chief marketing and commercial officer Glenn Critchley said. “This will be about more than just the cricket on the field – it will be a celebration of New Zealand’s shared history and culture with India, and our burgeoning rivalry and friendship through cricket.
“The passion and the following this team has is staggering – not to mention some of the players expected to tour such as Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah – so we’re bracing for the intensity and fandom that will accompany the tour.
“Experiencing the noise, colour and atmosphere of an Indian cricket international is a bucket-list event and I’d encourage the Kiwi public to take up the opportunity to witness it first-hand.”
“It’s always a special occasion playing India. They’re an unbelievable cricket team, full of talent and star power – you know every time you face them it’s going to be seriously challenging. The rivalry we’ve built in recent years is pretty staggering and I’m sure this tour will deliver many more big moments”
Is Sodhi
“It’s always a special occasion playing India,” Ish Sodhi said at the launch of the home schedule in Papatoetoe on Wednesday. “They’re an unbelievable cricket team, full of talent and star power – you know every time you face them it’s going to be seriously challenging. The rivalry we’ve built in recent years is pretty staggering and I’m sure this tour will deliver many more big moments.
“Then there’s the Indian fans and the energy and noise they bring – it really is like nothing else and something everyone should experience at least once in their life.
“I’m really proud of my Indian heritage and to represent my community out here in Papatoetoe today – literally just around the corner from where I grew up – is so cool. To bring my worlds and cultures together here in South Auckland is special and I just can’t wait for the tour to kickstart the home summer.”
Eden Carson, currently sidelined with an elbow injury, can’t wait for the summer after her recovery. “It’s been a challenging period and I’ve had to be patient with the injury,” she said. “After missing all of the recent summer and the current tour to England, I’m excited and motivated to get back out on the park.
“Bangladesh is an improving side in women’s cricket and we know we’ll have to be on our game.
“It’s exciting to have a first ICC Women’s Champions Trophy confirmed for February and the series against Bangladesh should provide solid preparation for that tournament.”
The Saxton Oval in Nelson will open the Bangladesh tour with two T20Is on December 10 and 12. The series will then move to Wellington for the third T20I (December 15) and the opening ODI on December 18. The final two ODIs will be played in Mount Maunganui on December 21 and 23.
