Hardik Pandya returned to India’s T20I setup as the team faced New Zealand in the opening match of the five-game series in Nagpur. After being rested during the ODI series for workload management, Hardik is back in action with both bat and ball. With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, this series holds huge value for India’s preparation.
India began the series in style on 21 January 2026 (Wednesday), defeating New Zealand by 48 runs at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, before following it up with a 7-wicket win in Raipur on January 23. The momentum continued in the 3rd T20I at Guwahati on January 25, where India chased down the target in just 10 overs to register a dominant 8-wicket victory. However, New Zealand bounced back strongly in the 4th T20I at Visakhapatnam on January 28, securing a 50-run win to keep the series alive.
In the opener, Hardik Pandya contributed a quick 25 off 16 balls and later struck an important wicket of Rachin Ravindra. While he had a quiet outing with the bat in Visakhapatnam, his all-round value across the series continues to make him one of India’s most reliable match-winners against the Kiwis.
Over the years, Hardik has delivered valuable cameos with the bat and produced breakthrough spells with the ball against New Zealand. His aggressive middle-order hitting and wicket-taking ability make him a major threat—especially on Indian venues where seamers and spinners both get assistance.
Hardik Pandya vs New Zealand T20I Batting Stats
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches | 16 |
| Innings | 15 |
| Runs | 200 |
| Highest Score | 30* |
| Batting Average | 18.18 |
| Strike Rate | 120.48 |
| 4s / 6s | 15 / 7 |
| Not Outs | 3 |
Match-by-Match Batting Performance vs New Zealand
| Date | Venue | Runs (Balls) | Strike Rate | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2016 | Nagpur | 1 (7) | 14.29 | lbw Santner |
| 01 Nov 2017 | Delhi | 0 (2) | 0.00 | c Latham b Sodhi |
| 04 Nov 2017 | Rajkot | 1 (2) | 50.00 | b Sodhi |
| 07 Nov 2017 | Thiruvananthapuram | 14* (10) | 140.00 | Not Out |
| 06 Feb 2019 | Wellington | 4 (4) | 100.00 | c Mitchell |
| 10 Feb 2019 | Hamilton | 21 (11) | 190.91 | c Williamson |
| 31 Oct 2021 | Dubai | 23 (24) | 95.83 | c Guptill |
| 20 Nov 2022 | Bay Oval | 13 (13) | 100.00 | c Neesham |
| 22 Nov 2022 | Napier | 30* (18) | 166.67 | Not Out |
| 27 Jan 2023 | Ranchi | 21 (20) | 105.00 | c&b Bracewell |
| 29 Jan 2023 | Lucknow | 15* (20) | 75.00 | Not Out |
| 01 Feb 2023 | Ahmedabad | 30 (17) | 176.47 | c Bracewell |
| 21 Jan 2026 | Nagpur | 25 (16) | 156.25 | c Chapman b Jacob Duffy |
| 28 Jan 2026 | Visakhapatnam | 2 (5) | 40.00 | c Foulkes b Santner |
Also see: Suryakumar Yadav vs New Zealand T20I Stats
Match-by-Match Bowling Performance vs New Zealand
| Date | Venue | Figures | Economy | Key Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 2016 | Nagpur | 0/10 (1 over) | 10.00 | – |
| 01 Nov 2017 | Delhi | 1/11 (1 over) | 11.00 | Williamson |
| 04 Nov 2017 | Rajkot | 0/14 (1 over) | 14.00 | – |
| 07 Nov 2017 | Thiruvananthapuram | 0/11 (1 over) | 11.00 | – |
| 06 Feb 2019 | Wellington | 2/51 (4 overs) | 12.75 | Mitchell, de Grandhomme |
| 08 Feb 2019 | Eden Park | 1/36 (4 overs) | 9.00 | de Grandhomme |
| 10 Feb 2019 | Hamilton | 0/44 (4 overs) | 11.00 | – |
| 31 Oct 2021 | Dubai | 0/17 (2 overs) | 8.50 | – |
| 29 Jan 2023 | Lucknow | 1/25 (4 overs) | 6.25 | Bracewell |
| 01 Feb 2023 | Ahmedabad | 4/16 (4 overs) | 4.00 | Allen, Phillips, Ferguson, Tickner |
| 21 Jan 2026 | Nagpur | 1/20 (2 overs) | 10.00 | Rachin Ravindra |
His 4/16 in Ahmedabad remains one of the finest spells by an Indian all-rounder in T20Is, and once again in Nagpur (2026), he provided a breakthrough just when India needed control in the powerplay.
- His natural hitting ability helps India accelerate in the final overs.
- He breaks partnerships with skiddy short balls and deceptive slower deliveries.
- New Zealand’s middle order—Phillips, Chapman, Mitchell—often struggles against his hard lengths.
- As a senior all-rounder, he provides perfect balance at No. 5.
Also see: Axar Patel vs New Zealand T20I Stats
India now lead the five-match T20I series 3–1. With Suryakumar Yadav leading the side, Hardik Pandya’s return has strengthened both the batting and bowling groups. Despite the setback in Visakhapatnam, his experience and versatility remain vital as India look to close out the series in the remaining match.
Also see: Suryakumar Yadav vs New Zealand T20I Stats
The Nagpur pitch, Raipur surface, Guwahati wicket, and Visakhapatnam track have all shown their balanced nature—early seam movement, grip for spinners, and value for power-hitting. This balance makes Hardik’s role even more crucial as India aim to finish the series on a strong note.
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