New Zealand to host India A in three four-day games before Test series
Synopsis
New Zealand Cricket has confirmed the largest international tour in its history — India arriving for five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests from late October. Before the red-ball action begins, India A will play three four-day warm-up games in Christchurch starting 24 October, giving fringe players a critical acclimatisation window ahead of the first Test in Wellington.
Key Takeaways
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed India A will play three four-day matches against New Zealand A in Christchurch , starting 24 October .
The fixtures serve as red-ball preparation ahead of a two-match Test series between the senior sides.
India's full tour spans five T20Is , five ODIs , and two Tests — described as the largest international tour in NZC history .
The 1st Test runs 19–23 November in Wellington ; the 2nd Test runs 27 November–1 December in Christchurch .
This is India's first Test tour of New Zealand since 2019 and their first white-ball visit since 2022 .
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed that India A will play three preparatory four-day matches against New Zealand A in Christchurch, beginning 24 October, ahead of a historic two-match Test series between the senior sides. The announcement came as NZC unveiled the schedule for the domestic Plunket Shield competition.
The India A Fixtures
The three multi-day games will run concurrently with India's white-ball tour of New Zealand. NZC stated in its release: 'The domestic red ball summer will also get an injection of international class as New Zealand A host India A for three four-day matches in Christchurch starting October 24.' Exact individual dates for the second and third fixtures have not yet been disclosed by the board.
Full Tour Schedule
India's tour of New Zealand — described by NZC as the largest international tour in New Zealand cricket history — spans late October to early December and includes five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Tests. The white-ball leg kicks off with the 1st T20I on 22 October in Christchurch, followed by matches on 24 October (Christchurch), 27 October (Wellington), 30 October (Auckland), and 1 November (Hamilton).
The ODI series opens on 4 November in Auckland, with further matches on 7 November (Wellington), 10 November (Hamilton), 13 November (Mount Maunganui), and 15 November (Mount Maunganui). The 1st Test runs from 19–23 November in Wellington, and the 2nd Test from 27 November to 1 December in Christchurch.
Historical Significance
This will mark the first time since 2019 that India have played Test cricket in New Zealand, and their first white-ball assignment in the country since 2022. The scale of the tour — across five cities and three formats — underscores the growing commercial and cricketing weight of India-New Zealand bilateral series.
Domestic Context
The Plunket Shield, New Zealand's premier first-class competition, will begin on 19 November and run through 29 March, with a scheduled break for the Super Smash and Ford Trophy domestic tournaments. The India A fixtures are positioned as a red-ball warm-up window designed to acclimatise Indian players to New Zealand conditions before the Test series begins.
With India fielding a full-strength squad across formats, the A-team matches in Christchurch could prove crucial in identifying Test-ready reserves and giving fringe players competitive red-ball exposure ahead of the Wellington opener.
Point of View
And the 2019 Test series was a rare 0-2 whitewash for the visitors. Running the A-team games concurrently with the T20Is means the red-ball group gets competitive match time without disrupting the senior white-ball squad's rhythm. What NZC has built here is less a bilateral series and more a full cricketing event, and the commercial logic — five cities, three formats, the biggest India tour ever — reflects how central Indian viewership has become to New Zealand cricket's revenue model.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will India A play four-day matches in New Zealand?
India A will play three four-day matches against New Zealand A in Christchurch, beginning 24 October. The exact dates of the second and third fixtures have not yet been announced by New Zealand Cricket.
What is the full schedule for India's tour of New Zealand?
India's tour runs from late October to early December and includes five T20Is (22 October–1 November), five ODIs (4–15 November), and two Tests (19–23 November in Wellington and 27 November–1 December in Christchurch). Three India A four-day games in Christchurch run alongside the white-ball leg from 24 October.
Why are the India A matches important?
The four-day fixtures give Indian players red-ball acclimatisation to New Zealand pitch and weather conditions before the Test series begins. They also offer fringe players competitive exposure and a chance to press their case for Test selection.
When did India last tour New Zealand for Tests?
India last played Test cricket in New Zealand in 2019, when they lost the two-match series 0-2. Their last white-ball visit to the country was in 2022.
Why is this tour historically significant for New Zealand Cricket?
NZC has described it as the largest international tour in New Zealand cricket history, covering five cities across three formats with a combined 12 matches plus three A-team fixtures — reflecting the scale of India's cricketing and commercial draw.
