One of the biggest cricket tours in a generation will open New Zealand’s International Home Schedule this summer with theIndian men’s team confirmed for a blockbuster three-format tour from October 22 until December 1.
Team India will take on the BLACKCAPS in five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests, played across the five major centres, with the 12 matches the most internationals scheduled for an in-bound tour in NZC history.
The WHITE FERNS, who are currently in England preparing to defend their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, will host Bangladesh for three T20Is and three ODIs from December 10 to 23.
The series will be the WHITE FERNS only home tour of the summer, with the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy(T20I) in Sri Lanka rescheduled for February, meaning the side’s planned tour of Australia in February-March 2027 will be rescheduled.
The BLACKCAPS host Sri Lanka in three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests in late January and into February to finish the home international summer, with a much anticipated four-Test away tour in Australia scheduled for December and early January.
The 2026/27 NZC International Home Schedule was launched in style at the International Swaminarayan SatsangOrganisation (ISSO) in Papatoetoe on Wednesday June 3, with WHITE FERNS spinner Eden Carson and BLACKCAPS home-town hero Ish Sodhi joined by local community members and the Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for Sport and Recreation.
The New Zealand Government will be supporting the in-bound India tour alongside adjacent sporting tours by India later inthe year, as 100 years of sporting ties between New Zealand and India are commemorated.
The India tour will also mark the return of Sky New Zealand, as host broadcaster of New Zealand Cricket's internationals, under the new partnership for the next six seasons.
NZC Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, Glenn Critchley, was pleased to confirm international cricket for Kiwis up and down the country.
“It’s going to be another exciting summer and we’re delighted to be able to bring 42 days of international cricket to Kiwi cricket fans across eight cities,” he said.
“We know how much the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS love playing in front of their home crowd and I’m sure the New Zealand public will get out in force to support them.”
Critchley singled out the India tour as a once in a generation opportunity.
“When it comes to cricket – it simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other.
“This will be about more than just the cricket on the field - it will be a celebration of New Zealand’s shared history andculture 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 asVirat 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.
“We’re expecting all of these games to sell out - so we’re urging fans to register for their tickets during the pre-sale window to avoid disappointment.”
The BLACKCAPS and India have built an impressive rivalry in recent times, culminating in many iconic moments on the world stage.
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final began the modern rivalry when the BLACKCAPS upset India in a two-day affair in Manchester, this was followed two years later by Kane Williamson’s men once again defying the odds to down India in the 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton.
India has regained the edge in ICC tournaments in the past few years with triumphs over the BLACKCAPS in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final in Mumbai, the 2024 ICC Champion’s Trophy Final in Dubai and most recently in the ICC T20 World Cup Final in Ahmedabad in March.
Levelling the scales somewhat, in 2024 the BLACKCAPS became the first side to white-wash India at home in a three-game Test series, and backed that up in January this year by winning their first ever ODI series in India 2-1.
For Ish Sodhi, the BLACKCAPS leading T20I wicket-taker, the India tour will be significant on many levels.
“It’s always a special occasion playing India,” he said.
“They’re an unbelievable cricket team, full of talent and star power – you know every time you face them it’s going to beseriously 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 aroundthe corner from where I grew up is so cool. To bring my worlds and cultures together here in South Auckland is specialand I just can’t wait for the tour to kickstart the home summer.”
For WHITE FERNS spinner Eden Carson, summer can’t come quick enough after being sidelined with an elbow injury which required surgery in December last year.
“It’s been a challenging period and I’ve had to be patient with the injury,” Carson 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.
“Playing them in Nelson, Wellington and Tauranga in the lead up to Christmas should be a great occasion and I’m sure the fans in those cities will once again get out and support the team.
“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.”
Sky's Head of Sports Content, Gary Burchett said he was delighted to begin the new partnership with a bang.
“Team India is the biggest show in world cricket, so this is a brilliant way to begin Sky’s new era with New Zealand Cricket andour renewed coverage of the BLACKCAPS and WHITE FERNS.
“This tour has scale, colour, noise, and genuine sporting theatre. Our job is to meet that moment with expert coverage, strong storytelling and a broadcast experience that reflects the size of the occasion.”
Christchurch’s Hagley Oval opens the India tour with back-to-back T20Is on October 22 and 24 respectively, and theGarden City will host the second Test match starting on Friday, November 27.
Wellington has been awarded the first Test starting on Thursday November 19 at the Cello Basin Reserve, as well as a T20I and ODI to be held at Hnry Stadium.
Auckland’s Eden Park and Hamilton’s Seddon Park have both received a T20I and ODI, while Tauranga’s Bay Oval will host games four and five of the ODI series.
Nelson’s Saxton Oval continues to be a popular venue for the WHITE FERNS who have received strong local support in recent years and will open the Bangladesh tour with two T20Is on December 10 and 12.
The T20I series concludes at the Cello Basin Reserve on December 15, which then plays host to the start of the ODIs on December 18, before the one-dayers move to Bay Oval for games two and three on December 21 and 23 respectively.
The BLACKCAPS return to the home summer in mid-January against Sri Lanka with ODIs at McLean Park in Napier, theCello Basin Reserve, and the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin.
The T20I series starts at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on January 26 and finishes with two day- matches at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Friday January 29 and Sunday January 31.
A two-Test series concludes the home international summer with Bay Oval and Seddon Park awarded a Test each starting on February 4 and February 12 respectively.
Sport Nation will once again be the free-to-air host audio broadcaster of the NZC international summer, with theAlternative Commentary Collective covering BLACKCAPS matches via their digital channels.
With unprecedented ticket demand expected for the India tour, fans are encouraged to register with Cricket Nation for an exclusive member pre-sale in August.
