13 November 2026: India’s marathon tour of New Zealand has reached its business end. The fourth ODI of the five-match series is being played today at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, with the same venue hosting the series finale on 15 November. After that, attention turns to two World Test Championship matches that will close one of the longest Indian tours to New Zealand in years. Here is a complete guide to the tour schedule, venues, match timings and what lies ahead.
A 12-Match Tour Across Formats
New Zealand Cricket announced a 12-match home series against India for this season, featuring five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. The tour began on 22 October in Christchurch and runs into the start of December, taking the teams to Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui. With tickets in high demand, the series has been one of the biggest commercial events in New Zealand cricket’s calendar.
Full Tour Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | 22 October | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 2nd T20I | 24 October | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 3rd T20I | 27 October | Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| 4th T20I | 30 October | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 5th T20I | 1 November | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| 1st ODI | 4 November | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 2nd ODI | 7 November | Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington |
| 3rd ODI | 10 November | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| 4th ODI | 13 November (today) | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| 5th ODI | 15 November | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui |
| 1st Test | 19 to 23 November | Basin Reserve, Wellington |
| 2nd Test | Late November | As per final schedule |
The ODIs are scheduled to start at 7:30 am IST, which makes them convenient morning viewing for fans in India. The T20Is were played in the afternoon, Indian time.
Today’s Venue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Bay Oval is one of New Zealand’s most scenic grounds, located near the beach in the Bay of Plenty region. It is a relatively small ground with a quick outfield, which usually rewards attacking batting. The pitch often offers some early movement for seamers, especially in the first hour of a morning start, before flattening out. Teams winning the toss frequently weigh up the early conditions against the advantage of chasing on a good batting surface.
Hosting both the fourth and fifth ODIs gives teams a chance to read the conditions in the first match and adjust their plans for the finale on 15 November.
India’s Approach Under Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill leads India’s ODI side, while Shreyas Iyer was named T20I captain earlier this season. The ODI series is an important part of India’s preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with selectors keen to settle combinations in the top order, the finishing roles and the pace attack. Conditions in New Zealand, with swing, bounce and windy grounds, are a good test for batters and bowlers alike.
Senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to feature in ODIs, and this tour is widely seen as possibly their last playing trip to New Zealand, adding emotional interest for fans.
New Zealand’s Strengths at Home
New Zealand have historically been very tough to beat at home in ODIs and Tests. Their fast bowlers know how to use the seam and swing, their fielding is sharp, and their batters are comfortable in the conditions. Players such as Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner have been part of their pace group for the series.
History: India in New Zealand
On India’s last full tour of New Zealand in early 2020, the visitors swept the T20I series 5-0 but then lost the ODI series 3-0 and the Test series 2-0. That contrast shows how different the challenge becomes in the longer formats. India also lost a home ODI series to New Zealand earlier this year, adding extra motivation for this tour.
Test Series Preview: WTC Points at Stake
The two Tests that close the tour are part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle, so every session carries points that can shape the race to the final. The first Test begins on 19 November at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, a ground known for its swirling wind and seam movement. India A played warm-up matches against New Zealand A ahead of the series to help players adjust to the conditions.
For India, the main challenges will be handling the moving ball with the bat and taking 20 wickets in conditions that suit New Zealand’s bowlers. For the hosts, the familiar home advantage will be key.
Key Things to Watch
- How India’s top order handles early movement at Bay Oval
- The fitness and workload management of fast bowlers ahead of the Tests
- Which players carry form from the ODIs into the Test squad
- Weather, as New Zealand’s spring can bring rain interruptions
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the India vs New Zealand ODI start in India?
The ODIs are scheduled to begin at 7:30 am IST.
When is the last ODI?
The fifth and final ODI is on 15 November at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
When does the Test series start?
The first Test begins on 19 November at the Basin Reserve, Wellington.
Schedules are based on the official fixtures announced for the tour and may be updated by the boards. For live scores and results, follow official cricket boards and broadcasters.
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