Team India begins their 2026 season with a three-match ODI series against a seemingly depleted New Zealand unit, starting with the opening ODI in Vadodara on January 11. If history is anything to go by, even a second-string Kiwi side will be no pushovers for the Men in Blue.
Among several relatively new faces, all-rounder Kristian Clarke has been confirmed to make his international debut in the series opener.
“We’re still working through the last of our (playing) XI, but I can confirm that Kristian Clarke is making his debut tomorrow (Sunday) so it’s an exciting chance for him,” said New Zealand skipper Michael Bracewell on the eve of the contest (via India Today).
Clarke is no stranger to Kiwi fans, but Indian fans might witness him in action for the first time on the cricketing field.
On that note, let us discover more about the newest New Zealand pace-bowling all-rounder, Kristian Clarke, with the opening ODI set to get underway.
#1 Kristian Clarke was close to debuting for New Zealand twice last year
Kristian Clarke might be debuting for New Zealand today, but he earned his maiden national call-up as early as October last year. The 24-year-old replaced injured veteran seamer Matt Henry in the New Zealand squad for the final ODI of the three-match series against England.
Yet, Clarke could not break through in the playing XI for the final ODI as the Kiwis registered a two-wicket win at Wellington. The youngster also earned his maiden Test call-up in December last year for the second and third Tests of the home series against the West Indies.
However, he was once again relegated to the reserves as the hosts won both Tests by massive margins, capturing a 2-0 series win.
#2 An all-round performance for the ages in the latest List-A tournament
Kristian Clarke became a household name within New Zealand, thanks to his heroics in the ongoing 2025-26 Ford Trophy, New Zealand’s premier List-A tournament. Playing for the Northern Districts, the 24-year-old had amassed 178 runs at an average of 89 and a strike rate of almost 90 in five games.
Despite battling inconsistencies with the ball, Clarke still managed three wickets in his five outings. However, one performance remains etched in the memories of the New Zealand supporters, when the youngster tore apart the Central Districts with bat and ball.
Walking into bat at No.7, Clarke smashed his maiden List-A century off 107 deliveries, helping the Northern Districts to 271/8 in 49 overs from 55/5. He then displayed his all-round prowess, picking up three wickets in his 10 overs to help his side pull off a 113-run victory.
#3 Kristian Clarke announced himself in a tournament where Yashasvi Jaiswal broke through
What could be the connection between Kristian Clarke and India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal? Both players announced themselves on the world stage in the same tournament – the 2020 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa.
Clarke had a competition to remember, picking up seven wickets in four matches at an average of 14 and an economy of under four. However, he is remembered fondly for his batting heroics at the end of the side’s quarterfinal win against the West Indies.
After producing a game-changing spell of 4/25 in 7.2 overs, the young all-rounder walked into bat at 153/8 with New Zealand chasing 239. Yet, from a seemingly no-win position, Clarke displayed nerves of steel, scoring an unbeaten 46 off 42 deliveries and helping the Kiwis clinch a thrilling two-wicket win in the final over.
He was adjudged the Player of the Match even as New Zealand suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Bangladesh in the semifinal. Meanwhile, Jaiswal finished as the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 400 runs in six outings at an average of over 133.
#4 A final-over appetizer before the meal
If the above-mentioned heroics in the quarterfinal of the Under-19 World Cup 2020 were the meal, Kristian Clarke dished out an appetizer a few days back in the same tournament. With a quarterfinal spot on the line, the then-teenager came into bat at No.9 with New Zealand requiring 14 off eight deliveries.
The challenge became stiffer with the Kiwis needing six off two balls when Clarke flexed his big-hitting muscles. The right-hander smashed a maximum with ice in his veins, propelling his side across the line and clinching them a quarterfinal berth.
#5 Red-ball success preceded the more popular white-ball heroics
Kristian Clarke’s rise to fame may have been through his recent Ford Trophy heroics and the brilliant finishes in the 2020 Under-19 World Cup. However, the 24-year-old debuted for Northern Districts in the first-class arena before the List-A and T20 formats in 2022.
Furthermore, Clarke boasts an impressive red-ball record with a batting average of almost 34 and a bowling average of 32.93 in 28 outings. He excelled in the 2025/26 Plunket Shield competition with the red-ball, averaging over 37 with the willow and picking up seven wickets in three games.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran