New Zealand played their first Test in 1930 and have long been admired for competing well above their size. They have a reputation for disciplined bowling, clever captaincy and excellent fielding.The Black Caps won the World Test Championship in 2021 and have reached several World Cup finals, inc…
India head into the final T20I against New Zealand with a 3-1 series lead, but the 87-run defeat in Auckland has raised questions over selection. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could return at the top, while Kuldeep Yadav or Varun Chakravarthy are options to strengthen the spin attack.
Glenn Phillips has scored 276 runs in New Zealand’s T20I series against India and needs 56 in the fifth match to surpass Phil Salt’s bilateral-series record of 331. He is also 15 runs away from breaking Mark Chapman’s New Zealand record for a bilateral T20I series.
India A were bowled out for 346 before Mukesh Kumar and Mohammed Siraj reduced New Zealand A to 13/3 on Day 2 of the second unofficial Test. Dean Foxcroft and Matthew Boyle then added an unbeaten 64-run stand to take the hosts to 77/3, still 269 behind.
An NDTV report says Virat Kohli was frustrated during a net session ahead of India’s first ODI against New Zealand, with a rookie Indian pacer troubling the senior batter. The reported exchange has not been independently detailed by other available sources.
Sanath Jayasuriya says teams chasing huge totals on flat white-ball pitches is good for cricket, even as the trend puts bowlers under pressure. His comments followed Sri Lanka’s successful pursuit of England’s 429 in Rawalpindi and came alongside praise for India’s Abhishek Sharma.
Spin coach Sairaj Bahutule says Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy understand India's team-combination decisions and remain ready for opportunities after sitting out the New Zealand T20Is.
India A recovered from 160/6 to finish the opening day of the second unofficial Test at 291/7 in Christchurch. Captain Dhruv Jurel was unbeaten on 99, while Devdutt Padikkal made 80 and Fraser Sheat took four wickets for New Zealand A.
India have brought Auqib Nabi into the squad for the opening three ODIs against New Zealand after Prasidh Krishna was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Nabi was already named for the final two matches.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner became the leading T20I wicket-taker against India with 32 scalps in 31 matches during the fourth T20I in Auckland. His 2/24 also took him past 150 career wickets in the format.
Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 61 helped India A recover from Yashasvi Jaiswal's first-over dismissal and reach 105/2 in 31 overs against New Zealand A at Hagley Oval on Day 1 of the second unofficial Test.
Rohit Sharma has reportedly agreed to return as Mumbai Indians captain for IPL 2027 after initially suggesting Tilak Varma for the role. Hardik Pandya is understood to be willing to play under Rohit if a proposed trade does not happen, according to The Indian Express.
India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted the bowling effort fell short after New Zealand piled up 259/7 and won the fourth T20I by 87 runs in Auckland. Iyer pointed to the powerplay, Glenn Phillips’ century and the challenge of adapting to Eden Park’s dimensions.
