Today marks the beginning of the five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand. After a hard-fought ODI leg where the Blackcaps made history by winning their first bilateral series in India, the focus shifts to the shortest format as both teams fine-tune their squads for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
India aim to extend home dominance as confident New Zealand pose stiff challenge
India enters this series under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, looking to maintain their dominant home record in T20Is. The hosts are bolstered by the return of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, while the explosive Abhishek Sharma is expected to set the tone at the top.
New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, arrives with high confidence. Their ability to adapt to Indian conditions was evident in the ODIs, and with players like Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell in fine form, they represent a significant threat. Historically, Nagpur hasn’t been a high-scoring ground, often favoring tactical bowling over raw power-hitting, which sets the stage for a fascinating chess match between the two sides.
IND vs NZ, 1st T20I: Nagpur Weather Forecast
Cricket fans heading to the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium can breathe easy as the weather in Nagpur looks set to play no spoilsport during the opening T20I between India and New Zealand. Conditions are expected to remain stable, paving the way for a complete 40-over contest without any interruptions.
- Temperature: The temperature around match time will be close to 19°C, providing pleasant playing conditions for both teams. The relatively cool evening should help players maintain intensity across all 40 overs.
- Humidity: Humidity levels are forecast to be around 58%, which may introduce a hint of moisture in the air. This could assist seamers, especially during the latter stages of the game.
- Cloud Cover: Cloud cover is expected to be at approximately 44%, with partly cloudy skies prevailing through the evening. However, it is unlikely to have any impact on play.
- Precipitation: There is no rainfall expected, with 0.0 mm precipitation forecast and a 0% probability of precipitation, ensuring no weather-related interruptions.
IND vs NZ, 1st T20I: Dew Factor
Being a mid-January evening in Central India, dew is expected to have a noticeable influence on the contest. With the temperature hovering around 19°C and humidity close to 58%, moisture is likely to settle on the outfield as the match progresses. This can make gripping the ball challenging for bowlers in the second innings, particularly for spinners and finger bowlers.
As a result, the team batting second could enjoy a slight advantage, with the ball coming nicely onto the bat under lights. However, Nagpur’s large outfield and traditionally slow surface can still keep bowlers in the game, meaning chasing won’t be entirely straightforward despite the presence of dew.
IND vs NZ, 1st T20I: Toss Prediction
The toss is expected to play a key role in Nagpur, with both historical trends and evening conditions likely to influence the captains’ decision.
- Dew Advantage: Applicable. With humidity around 58% and temperatures dropping as the match progresses, dew is likely to come into play later in the evening. Captains are expected to prefer bowling first to avoid the “soapy ball” challenge while defending. That said, Nagpur’s past suggests that defending totals remains achievable, especially with disciplined bowling and smart field placements.
- Batting or Bowling Paradise?: Bowling-friendly (relatively). The red-soil surface at Jamtha typically provides good carry and bounce for pacers early on, before slowing down as the game wears on. Spinners often find grip in the middle overs, making it a tactical pitch rather than a high-scoring flat track.
- Dimensions: The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium is known for its huge boundaries, measuring roughly 80 yards straight and around 85 yards square. Clearing the ropes consistently is difficult, placing greater emphasis on strike rotation, athletic running between the wickets, and tight defensive bowling.
Overall, the combination of dew, pitch behavior, and large dimensions suggests that winning the toss and bowling first could offer a slight edge.
