IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction: Dream11 Team Today, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Injury Update - New Zealand Tour of India 2026, 1st T20I

India and New Zealand begin the five-match T20I series with the first game at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Coming on the back of New Zealand’s 2–1 ODI series win in India, both teams will view this series as the final preparation ground for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

Both sides have multiple match-winners in the shortest format of the game, and we will provide the best options for captaincy and vice-captaincy for your IND vs NZ Dream11 team prediction based on recent form and player performance.

IND vs NZ Match Preview

Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will be keen to reassert their dominance at home, especially after losing the ODI series, and will rely on their aggressive top-order batting and a bowling attack featuring quality spin options like Varun Chakravarthy alongside experienced pacers such as Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, arrive with a well-balanced side, with players like Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra and Santner himself expected to play key roles in challenging Indian conditions. The Nagpur pitch is a balanced surface, but spinners tend to come into play as the surface slows, while evening dew could make chasing the preferred option.

India vs New Zealand Match Details

IND vs NZ Dream11 Team Today Stats

• The Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, was in strong touch in his previous game against South Africa, where he smashed a quick 63 off 25 balls and also chipped in with a wicket, making him a high-value pick for the IND vs NZ Dream11 team prediction.
• Right-arm leg break bowler Varun Chakaravarthy topped the wicket charts for the Men in Blue, as he took four wickets in the last match against South Africa. According to our IND vs NZ Dream11 today prediction, his role will be vital for this clash.
• The New Zealand opener, Devon Conway, was the top scorer for his side in the previous match against West Indies, scoring 47 off 42 deliveries, and remains a reliable pick at the top of the order. He will be a key player in the IND vs NZ Dream11 prediction today match.
• Jacob Duffy was the leading wicket-taker for the New Zealand team in the last match. He took four wickets in his spell. He will be an excellent pick for the IND vs NZ Dream11 today team prediction.

IND vs NZ Injury Update Today

India's ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer is making a comeback in the T20 squad as a replacement for Tilak Varma, who has been ruled out of the series due to injury. Ravi Bishnoi was also added to the squad as a replacement for Washington Sundar.

IND vs NZ Toss Prediction

India captain Suryakumar Yadav is expected to make the right call at the toss and may prefer to field first in the opening T20I of the New Zealand Tour of India 2026, with evening dew likely to be a decisive factor in that call.

Record of Chasing Teams at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium

The historical data at this venue suggests a clear advantage for teams batting first, who have won eight of the 12 T20Is played here compared to just four victories for sides chasing. The presence of dew later in the match could reduce the effectiveness of the bowlers, and the team winning the toss might prefer chasing, particularly for this reason.

IND vs NZ Playing 11 (Probable)

India and New Zealand have assembled a strong squad for the T20 series with several match-winners in the playing 11. Even the players on the bench are some highly talented youngsters, and we might see them featuring later in the series.

Highest Run Scorers and Highest Wicket Takers

• As this is the first match of the T20I series, there is no relevant data available for the highest run scorers and wicket takers. While, as per recent performances, Abhishek Sharma and Rachin Ravindra are expected to score the most runs for their respective teams. In the bowling department, Varun Chakaravarthy and Matt Henry might emerge as the leading wicket takers.

IND vs NZ Captain and Vice Captain Choices

• Opener Abhishek Sharma, who is among the best T20 batsmen in the world, and India’s best all-rounder Hardik Pandya stand out as the strongest captaincy choices for this contest, given their impact in the T20 format and their ability to provide high fantasy returns.
• For the vice-captain role, New Zealand’s dependable batters Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra appear to be the safest options, as the Black Caps are likely to rely on their ability in key phases of the innings to anchor and accelerate when required.

Top Picks for IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

• Daryl Mitchell is coming off a splendid ODI series against India, and he will be looking to continue with his form in the T20Is as well. He scored one half-century and two hundreds in the 3 match ODI series.
• Mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has been the standout for the Indian team with the ball in the shortest format, and will be a top pick for this match.

Budget Picks for IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

• Ishan Kishan is expected to bat at number 3 in the Indian lineup and will be a budget pick for this clash as he will be looking to confirm his position in the team ahead of the T20 World Cup.
• Matt Henry from the New Zealand team has often troubled Indian batters across formats and should be a part of your Dream11 team for this clash.

Best Team for Dream11 Today's Match

• Keepers: D Conway, I Kishan
• Batters: A Sharma (c), D Mitchell (vc), R Ravindra
• All-rounders: H Pandya, M Santner, A Patel
• Bowlers: J Bumrah, V Chakaravarthy, K Jamieson

Best Dream11 Team Today

• Keeper: S Samson
• Batters: A Sharma, D Mitchell, R Ravindra (vc)
• All-rounders: H Pandya (c), M Santner, G Philipps, S Dube
• Bowlers: V Chakaravarthy, M Henry, H Rana

Note: Sportsdunia has prepared a fantasy team for IND vs NZ based on their experience in fantasy cricket.

IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Today (1st T20I) New Zealand Tour of India 2026 Players to Avoid

• Ravi Bishnoi is a part of the Indian squad, but he is unlikely to feature in the playing 11 and should not be a part of your fantasy team.
• All-rounder Michael Bracewell is facing an injury and is expected to miss the first T20I, so he can be avoided in the IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction today match.

IND vs NZ Weather & Pitch Report at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium

• The opening T20I of New Zealand’s 2026 tour of India, scheduled to be played in Nagpur, is expected to be held under clear conditions. With no rain forecast for the day, fans can look forward to an uninterrupted contest.
• The pitch at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur generally offers more assistance to the bowlers, particularly spinners, who tend to find turn and grip on this surface. The surface tends to slow down as the game progresses, making run-scoring more challenging in the second innings. The average first-innings score stands at around 146 runs.

IND vs NZ Head-to-Head Records

India and New Zealand have met 25 times in T20 internationals so far, with India holding a slight edge in the IND vs NZ head-to-head record, having secured 14 wins, while New Zealand have claimed victory in 10 matches.

Disclaimer: This team is based on the analysis, calculated odds, and past experience of the author. While selecting your team, consider the analysis only as supporting data while making your own decision. Sportsdunia does not work with insider news and will not be responsible for any monetary loss to the users following the analysis.