The India vs New Zealand T20I series 2026 has turned into a run-fest, and after two explosive matches, the action now moves to Guwahati for the 3rd T20I. India have completely dominated the series so far with their fearless batting approach, while New Zealand are still searching for answers with the ball.
The second T20I at Raipur was a high-scoring thriller where 417 runs were scored in just 35.2 overs. After Abhishek Sharma’s fireworks in the first game, it was Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav who took center stage in the second match, chasing down 209 runs with 28 balls to spare — the fastest 200+ chase in T20I history among top teams.
The third T20I will be played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, where another batting-friendly pitch is expected. With India’s batting depth and New Zealand’s struggling bowling unit, fans can expect another high-scoring contest.
IND vs NZ Match Details
| Match Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | India vs New Zealand T20I Series 2026 |
| Match | India vs New Zealand, 3rd T20I |
| Date | Sunday, 25 January 2026 |
| Time | 07:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati |
Match Preview
India
India’s batting lineup is in scary form right now. Even after losing early wickets in Raipur, the middle order showed why this team is considered the best T20I side in the world.
- Ishan Kishan smashed a blistering knock under pressure
- Suryakumar Yadav looked back to his vintage best
- Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh provided explosive finishing
- Bowling unit has chipped in at crucial moments
India’s biggest strength is their batting depth till No. 8, which allows top-order batters to play aggressively without fear.
Key Players:
Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya
New Zealand
New Zealand showed improvement with the bat in the second T20I, but their bowling attack has been exposed badly in Indian conditions.
- Devon Conway has looked tentative
- Daryl Mitchell is batting too low in the order
- Spinners have failed to control the middle overs
- Pacers have leaked runs at a high economy
To challenge India, New Zealand need something special, especially with the ball, on another flat surface in Guwahati.
Key Players:
Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner
Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
| Team | Matches Won |
|---|---|
| India | 16 |
| New Zealand | 10 |
| No Result / Tied | 01 |
Recent Form (Last 5 Matches)
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| India | W, NR, W, W, W |
| New Zealand | W, NR, W, L, L |
Weather & Pitch Report – Guwahati
Weather Update
- Temperature: 19–21°C
- Humidity: 78–86%
- Rain: 0% chance (clear match expected)
Pitch Report
- Flat and batting-friendly surface
- Ball comes nicely onto the bat
- Spinners may get some grip later in the innings
- Scores of 180+ are very much achievable
Ground Stats – Barsapara Cricket Stadium (T20Is)
| Record | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 7 |
| Bat First Wins | 3 |
| Bat Second Wins | 3 |
| Tie / No Result | 1 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 161 |
| Highest Score | 237/3 |
| Lowest Score | 118/10 |
Predicted Playing XI
India
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Ishan Kishan
- Suryakumar Yadav (c)
- Shivam Dube
- Hardik Pandya
- Rinku Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakravarthy
New Zealand
- Devon Conway
- Rachin Ravindra
- Tim Robinson
- Daryl Mitchell
- Mark Chapman
- Glenn Phillips
- Mitchell Santner (c)
- Kristian Clarke
- Jacob Duffy
- Ish Sodhi
- Matt Henry
Dream11 Fantasy Tips
Small League (Safe Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Hardik Pandya
- Rachin Ravindra
- Mitchell Santner
- Glenn Phillips
Grand League (Risky Picks)
Captain / Vice-Captain Options
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ishan Kishan
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tim Robinson
Match Prediction – Who Will Win?
India’s batting firepower is operating at a different level right now. Even when one big name fails, another steps up and takes the game away. That depth and confidence make them extremely hard to beat at home.
New Zealand are clearly struggling to control runs, especially in the middle overs, and the Guwahati pitch is unlikely to offer them much help.
Read more: Suryakumar Yadav T20I Captaincy Record: Matches, Wins, Stats, Form
Unless New Zealand produce an exceptional bowling performance, India should continue their dominance.
Predicted Winner: India
Injury Update
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | No injury updates |
| India | No injury updates |
Disclaimer
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