New Zealand vs India is underway at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, with the hosts reaching 98-2 after 10 overs in the opening match of the five-game T20I series.
India won the toss and chose to field first on Thursday, October 22, 2026, putting New Zealand’s top order under early pressure.
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New Zealand Vs India: Finalists meet again after T20 World Cup
Finn Allen led New Zealand’s scoring with 45 runs from 24 balls before he was dismissed by Axar Patel.
Allen struck five fours and two sixes during an aggressive opening partnership.
Tim Seifert made 24 from 17 deliveries before Mayank Yadav removed him.
Seifert hit three fours and one six during his brief stay at the crease.
Daryl Mitchell was unbeaten on 15 from 11 balls at the latest update, while Glenn Phillips was 12 not out from nine deliveries.
| Team | Score | Overs | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 98-2 | 10.0 | Batting first |
| India | Yet to bat | – | Fielding |
India’s bowling response
India’s two wickets came from different parts of its attack, with Mayank Yadav dismissing Seifert and Axar Patel removing Allen.
The visitors included experienced seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who returned to India’s T20I setup after last appearing in the format in November 2022.
India’s lineup also features captain Shreyas Iyer, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel and leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
New Zealand named a batting group led by Allen, Seifert, Mitchell, Phillips and captain Mitchell Santner, with Matt Henry, Adam Milne and Lockie Ferguson among the pace options.
Finalists meet again after T20 World Cup
The Christchurch match is the first meeting between the teams since India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
That result gave India a record third T20 World Cup title, while New Zealand will look to use home conditions to begin the bilateral series with a win.
India enters the tour after a four-match T20I series against the West Indies ended level at 2-2 on October 17.
New Zealand’s pace-friendly conditions are expected to test India’s batters, while the hosts will aim to take advantage of familiarity with the Hagley Oval surface.
Series schedule
The second T20I is scheduled for Christchurch on Saturday, October 24.
The teams then move to Wellington for the third match on Tuesday, October 27.
The fourth T20I is set for Auckland on Friday, October 30, followed by the series finale in Hamilton on Sunday, November 1.
The tour will continue with five ODIs in November before the sides meet in a two-Test series in December.
What happens next
New Zealand will continue batting before India begins its chase.
The latest available score shows the hosts in a strong position during the opening phase, although the match remains finely balanced with 10 overs still to come in the first innings.
All scores and match details are subject to change as play continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest New Zealand vs India score?
New Zealand was 98-2 after 10 overs in the latest available update from the first T20I in Christchurch.
Who won the toss in New Zealand vs India?
India won the toss and chose to field first.
Who top-scored for New Zealand?
Finn Allen top-scored with 45 runs from 24 balls before being dismissed by Axar Patel.
Where is New Zealand vs India being played?
The first T20I is being played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand.
When is the next match in the series?
The second T20I is scheduled for Christchurch on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Fact-Checked: Key match details, the live score, venue, toss, series schedule and team information were checked against ICC, BCCI and New Zealand Cricket information.
Disclaimer: Live cricket scores can change during play, and the figures reported here reflect the latest available update at publication time.