NZ vs IND Today Match Prediction, Pitch Report, Playing XI & Fantasy Team – Who Will Win Today’s New Zealand vs India 1st ODI? – India Tour of New Zealand 2026

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NZ vs IND Match Preview

New Zealand and India start their five-match ODI series at Eden Park in Auckland. For this NZ vs IND match prediction, India have a slight edge, but New Zealand won the last two ODIs between these teams.

Shubman Gill leads India in this game and arrives in amazing form, with 783 runs at an average of 130.5 in his last 10 ODIs. Rohit Sharma adds 554 runs at an average of 55.4, and Virat Kohli is back in the side too.

New Zealand’s biggest threat is Daryl Mitchell. He has 389 runs at an average of 97.25 in his last 5 ODIs. He and Gill are the top names in any NZ vs IND fantasy prediction.

New Zealand also have a tight spin pair. Michael Bracewell has 9 wickets at an economy of 4.75, and Mitchell Santner gives away just 3.39 runs an over.

NZ vs IND Match Details

Here are the key details for the NZ vs IND 1st ODI.

NZ vs IND Pitch Report – Eden Park, Auckland

Eden Park is a good batting pitch, though it can be a little slow, and bowlers stay in the game throughout. It’s a drop-in pitch with unusual ground shapes, so good boundary hitters can score quickly once they settle.

The last ODI here was in January 2025. Sri Lanka made 290/8 and then bowled New Zealand out for 150. So big scores are possible, but batting doesn’t stay easy for the whole game.

Both pace and spin took wickets in that match. Matt Henry took 4/55, and Mitchell Santner picked up two with spin. Chasing has a strong record here, with 47 wins against 34 for teams batting first.

Read Also: How to Read a Cricket Pitch Report Before a Match: A Beginner’s Guide to Predicting Outcomes

NZ vs IND Weather Report – Auckland

The forecast for Wednesday in Auckland shows a 30% chance of rain, so a short delay is possible. It will be mild, around 19°C during the day and about 16°C at night. The match starts at 3:00 PM local time, so the second innings will be played under lights.

NZ vs IND Recent Form

The recent ODI results of both teams provide some context ahead of the series opener.

Data Source: ESPNcricinfo

NZ vs IND Head-to-Head Record

India have won three of the last five ODIs against New Zealand, but New Zealand won the two most recent ones.

Data Source: ESPNcricinfo

NZ vs IND Probable Playing XI

The probable playing XIs for the 1st ODI are as follows.

New Zealand:

Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (WK), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (C), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Jacob Duffy

India:

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar

Top Picks for NZ vs IND Fantasy Prediction

These players stand out based on their recent performances and current statistics.

Top Batting Picks

• Shubman Gill (IND, BAT) — 783 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 130.5 and a strike rate of 124.28. The top run-scorer in this contest by a distance.
• Daryl Mitchell (NZ, BAT) — 389 runs in his last 5 ODIs at an average of 97.25. New Zealand’s most in-form batter.
• Rohit Sharma (IND, BAT) — 554 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 55.4 and a strike rate of 108.62.
• Will Young (NZ, BAT) — 344 runs in his last 10 ODIs. He opens the batting, so he gets plenty of balls.

Top Bowling Picks

• Gurnoor Brar (IND, BOWL) — 14 wickets in his last 9 ODIs. The leading wicket-taker in this contest.
• Michael Bracewell (NZ, ALL) — 9 wickets in his last 6 ODIs at an economy of 4.75. He can also bat, so he has two ways to score.
• Kuldeep Yadav (IND, BOWL) — 8 wickets in his last 5 ODIs at an economy of 5.59.
• Mitchell Santner (NZ, ALL) — 6 wickets in his last 5 ODIs at an economy of just 3.39. The tightest bowler in this match.

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Fantasy Captain and Vice-Captain Choices

For Fantasy Team 1

Shubman Gill (Captain):

He has 783 runs in his last 10 ODIs at an average of 130.5, the best by far in this match. He opens the batting and captains India, so he should face plenty of balls.

Daryl Mitchell (Vice-Captain):

He has 389 runs in his last 5 ODIs at an average of 97.25. He’s New Zealand’s best batter right now and knows home conditions well.

For Fantasy Team 2

Rohit Sharma (Captain):

He has 554 runs in his last 10 ODIs at a strike rate of 108.62. Most people will pick Gill as captain, so Rohit gives you a real edge if he gets India off to a big start.

Michael Bracewell (Vice-Captain):

He has 9 wickets in his last 6 ODIs at an economy of 4.75, and he can also bat. Very few people will pick him as vice-captain.

NZ vs IND D11 Fantasy Team 1

A safe team built around the two most in-form batters in this match.

Want a More Accurate Lineup? – Tap Here 

NZ vs IND D11 Fantasy Team 2

A riskier team built around India’s opener and New Zealand’s spin all-rounders, for grand leagues.

NZ vs IND Toss Prediction

Toss Prediction: Bowl first

Teams chasing have won 47 of the ODIs at Eden Park, compared with 34 for teams batting first. The first-innings average (222) is also higher than the second (194), but the chasing record is still much stronger. With the second innings under lights and a cool evening, chasing looks like the better choice.

New Zealand vs India Prediction

Prediction: India to Win

India have a deep and in-form top order, with Gill, Rohit and Kohli all capable of big scores. Kuldeep and Gurnoor Brar have also been taking wickets.

But New Zealand won the last two ODIs between these teams, and Mitchell is in brilliant form. With home support and a strong spin pair, they’ll make this tough. Overall, India’s batting gives them a slight edge.