IND vs NZ: Whether it is about the batting or the bowling, Team India has so far upheld a top-notch performance against the New Zealand cricket team. The burning form of Abhishek Sharma on top of the batting form is providing the home team with guaranteed fireworks during the powerplays. Later, Suryakumar Yadav also made runs with pure confidence.
Without the service of Tilak Varma, Team India, so far, has not confronted any trouble in leading the race against New Zealand. Ishan Kishan has appeared as the surprising element in this team. Making a return in the international platform, the keeper-batter is also scoring plenty of runs ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
The bowling line-up of Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, and Kuldeep Yadav is also gelling up well, along with the pace bowling allrounder Hardik Pandya. Overall, Team India is ready for the 2026 World Cup.
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For the New Zealand cricket team, the scenario is completely opposite. They have yet to prove their mettle against India. In all departments, they are falling short against the home team.
In this article, we will have a look at each and every detail related to the India vs New Zealand (IND vs NZ) third T20I match, including the match preview, free live streaming information, pitch and weather updates, head-to-head numbers, and important stats and records.
IND vs NZ 4th T20I Preview:
Date and Venue:
The ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vishakhapatnam will host the fourth T20I of the series between India and New Zealand on Wednesday, January 28.
IND vs NZ squads:
India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vc), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravi Bishnoi
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi, Kristian Clarke.
IND vs NZ Probable XIs:
On the basis of the recent performances, the Indian team management can consider a change in their playing XI. That is the snub of Sanju Samson from the opening spot because of his off-form and the inclusion of Shreyas Iyer in the middle order. In place of Samson, Ishan Kishan can pair up with Abhishek Sharma to form an explosive opening partnership in the India vs New Zealand 4th T20I match in Visakhapatnam.
As BCCI informed, Shreyas Iyer will be with the team in place of Tilak Varma, who is currently recovering at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. It will be interesting to see if the team management can do in the bowling line-up, as the bowlers also executed the plans brilliantly in the previous three games.
On the other side, despite the lack of performances, the New Zealand team management can rely on the same playing unit, as they need to bring back the players’ confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
India Playing XI: Ishan Kishan (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.
New Zealand Playing XI: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, and Jacob Duffy.
IND vs NZ 4th T20I Key battles:
Abhishek Sharma vs Matt Henry:
As the cricket experts are saying nowadays, if Abhishek Sharma takes off, India will take off. This is the proof of how the opener has been batting in recent times. After playing back-to-back match-winning knocks against New Zealand, the southpaw will try to repeat the same to make his T20I stats more illustrious. Matt Henry, one of the most prolific pacers in the format of his country, will have to show what he is capable of. To dismantle India’s winning streak, New Zealand needs to get rid of Sharma early in the match.
Ishan Kishan vs Mitchell Santner:
Mitchell Santner, as the captain of the New Zealand T20Is team, couldn’t justify his status so far. He needs to do something significant to prove himself ahead of the T20I World Cup 2026. A wicket of an in-form batter like Ishan Kishan will help him to regain his morale. On the other side, the form the keeper-batter has displayed so far should be in the try to produce another difference-making innings against the Black Caps.
Suryakumar Yadav vs Ish Sodhi:
Ish Sodhi, as the senior and experienced spinner of the team, has to step up on big occasions. Spinner often get success in the subcontinental conditions. Sodhi has the potential to claim a bunch of wickets. During the middle of the game, he can face Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav. Yadav vs Sodhi, it will be an exciting contest to see in Visakhapatnam. So far, the momentum is tilted towards Suryakumar Yadav.
IND vs NZ 4th T20I Key Players:
India – Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy.
New Zealand – Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy, Glenn Phillips.
IND vs NZ 4th T20I – Free Live Streaming and Telecast Details:
TV Broadcast in India:
The Star Sports Network will televise the fourth T20I between India and New Zealand across India.
Online Live Streaming in India:
Fans can watch the match live on the JioHotstar app and website. Viewers will need an active subscription to access the stream.
Match Date:
The fourth T20I will be played on Wednesday, January 28.
Venue:
The fourth T20I match will be held at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vishakhapatnam.
How to Watch IND vs NZ on Television:
The live telecast of the IND vs NZ fourth T20I will be available on Star Sports Network channels.
How to Watch Online on Mobile and Web:
Live streaming will be accessible through the JioHotstar app and official website with a valid subscription.
IND vs NZ 4th T20I Weather and Pitch Report – Visakhapatnam:
According to the weather forecast, the weather in Vishakhapatnam is expected to be clear throughout the match day. During the daytime, the sky will be clear, bright and blue, and at night, there is also no forecast for rain or any other natural calamities. Cricket fans can enjoy a good match atmosphere on Wednesday (January 28).
IND vs NZ Pitch Report at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium:
The pitch of the Visakhapatnam stadium can be a good surface for batters, where batters from both sides can enjoy spending some time on the track. On this ground, the first batting team can go above 180 runs if they can adjust themselves according to the pitch. In the past, pacers also enjoyed some time by gaining some wickets. In the second half of the match, when the surface is drier, spinners can prove handy as well.
IND vs NZ Head-to-Head Records:
| Category | Matches Played | India Won | New Zealand Won | Tied | No Result | W/L Ratio (India) |
| Overall India vs New Zealand (T20Is) | 28 | 15 | 10 | 3 | 0 | — |
| India vs New Zealand in India (T20Is) | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2.25 |
IND vs NZ Head-to-Head Records: Key Statistics
According to the overall stats, India has the better numbers over the New Zealand cricket team. In 28 matches between these two teams, India managed to win 15 times, while New Zealand got victories on 10 occasions.
Team India will play the fourth match after winning three matches on a trot. In the previous game, the hosts got their victory only in 10 overs, chasing a target of 154.
IND vs NZ Head-to-Head Records- Result of the last 5 games:
| Date | Match | Winner | Result |
| 25-Jan-26 | India vs New Zealand | India | IND won by 8 wickets (with 60 balls remaining) |
| 23-Jan-26 | India vs New Zealand | India | Won by 7 wickets (with 28 balls remaining) |
| 21-Jan-26 | India vs New Zealand | India | Won by 48 runs |
| 01-Feb-23 | India vs New Zealand | India | Won by 168 runs |
| 29-Jan-23 | India vs New Zealand | India | Won by 6 wickets (with 1 ball remaining) |
IND vs NZ Match Prediction:
There is no doubt about the fact that New Zealand will try to bring their best to grab a win after losing 3 matches in a row. Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, they will try to taste wins in the remaining two matches of the ongoing series. They have a good squad that is yet to live up to the expectations. Still, the recent performance is keeping India ahead of the Kiwis even in the fourth match.
IND vs NZ – Conclusion:
There were some high-scoring matches on this very ground. If India go to bat first, they will try to put on a mammoth total. New Zealand batters will try to do the same if they get the chance to bat first. Tossing in this ground may not work as a decisive factor. A high-scoring match can be expected.
Because of the dew factor, bowling in the second innings can be a bit difficult. So, both of the teams could look to bowl first.
For this game, there will be less pressure on the Indian cricket team, as they are already leading the 5-match series by 3-0. Indian batters now play a more fearless brand of batting, which is something the New Zealand bowlers are not cherishing about.
Read More: India Playing XI vs New Zealand Playing XI – 4th T20I, New Zealand tour of India 2026