One of the biggest cricket tours in a generation will open New Zealand’s International Home Schedule this summer with the Indian men’s team confirmed for a blockbuster three-format tour from October 22 until December 1.
Team India will take on the BLACKCAPS across five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests, played in five major centres, marking the most internationals scheduled for an inbound tour in NZC history, including a T20I and ODI at Seddon Park.
The 2026/27 NZC International Home Schedule was launched in style at the International Swaminarayan Satsang Organisation (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 in the 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.
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 and our 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.”
Hamilton’s Seddon Park has received a T20I and ODI in November 2026 along with a Test against Sri Lanka in February 2027.
- BLACKCAPS v India (T20I), Sunday, 1 November 2026, Seddon Park
- BLACKCAPS v India (ODI), Tuesday, 10 November 2026, Seddon Park
- BLACKCAPS v Sri Lanka (Test), Friday 12 - 16 February 2027, SEddon Park
Sport Nation will once again be the free-to-air host audio broadcaster of the NZC international summer, with the Alternative 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.
