Get your jerseys ready, folks—the Blackcaps are in town! Starting January 11, India and New Zealand are set to clash in an action-packed white-ball series featuring 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is. While India-NZ battles are always a treat, this series feels a bit more special.

Why?

Because the "Middle-Order Maestros" are finally back in the mix.

The biggest headline is undoubtedly the return of Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant. After missing the South Africa tour due to injury concerns, Iyer returns as the ODI vice-captain (pending a final fitness nod). We’ve missed that calm authority he brings to the number four spot. And then there’s Pant—the man who makes the impossible look easy. Seeing him back in the ODI squad after a long hiatus is the "New Year gift" every Indian fan wanted.

But don't overlook the T20I leg. With the 2026 T20 World Cup just a month away (starting February 7!), these five matches are essentially a final dress rehearsal. Suryakumar Yadav will be leading a side that looks hungry to defend their crown on home soil. Watch out for young guns like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, who are fighting to secure their permanent spots in that World Cup XI.

The tour kicks off in Vadodara, a historic moment as the city hosts its first-ever men’s international match, before moving to the high-scoring grounds of Rajkot and Indore. Whether you're a fan of the tactical chess match of ODIs or the explosive fireworks of T20s, this January belongs to cricket.

Grab your snacks; it's going to be a bumpy, brilliant ride!