New Zealand vs India, 3rd T20I: Date, Time, Venue, Squads & Where to Watch

India face New Zealand in the third T20I of the India tour of New Zealand 2026 on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at Hnry Stadium in Wellington, with the visitors one win away from sealing the series. India lead 2-0 after two four-wicket wins at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, and a win in Wellington would wrap up the series with matches to spare. New Zealand, meanwhile, need a win to keep the series alive and to restore some pride in front of a home crowd. This preview covers the date, time and venue, the squads and probable playing XIs, the head-to-head record, the pitch and weather report, and where to watch the match live.

Match Overview

India have been the dominant side in this series so far, winning both matches in Christchurch by four wickets. Their batting depth and the variety in their bowling attack have allowed them to chase down targets under pressure, and they arrive in Wellington full of confidence. A third straight win would seal the series and extend a strong run against New Zealand in this format.

New Zealand have had moments of brilliance, most notably Glenn Phillips, who has scored two fifties in two games, but they have not been able to finish matches. They are also missing key fast bowlers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, which has stretched their attack. Captain Mitchell Santner, who took four wickets in the last game, will need another big performance if the hosts are to stay alive in the series.

Date, Time and Venue

The match will be played on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at Hnry Stadium in Wellington. It is a night match, with the first ball at 8:00 PM local time in Wellington, which is 12:30 PM IST. Wellington’s wind is famous in cricket circles, and conditions at the ground often shape tactics more than at most other venues.

Match	New Zealand vs India, 3rd T20I
Series	India tour of New Zealand 2026
Date	Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Venue	Hnry Stadium, Wellington
First ball	8:00 PM local / 12:30 PM IST
Series status	India lead 2-0

Squads / Probable Playing XIs

New Zealand probable XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne and Jacob Duffy or Blair Tickner. The hosts are without Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, so Jamieson and Milne carry extra responsibility with the new ball, while Santner’s spin and Phillips’ form are central to their plans.

India probable XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh and Prince Yadav. Ishan Kishan is unavailable again, so Samson keeps the gloves. Iyer’s calm captaincy and the firepower at the top of the order have been key features of India’s series so far.

These are probable playing XIs only, not confirmed teams. The final line-ups will be confirmed at the toss, and late changes are always possible in a T20 series.

Head-to-Head

India have the better of the T20I head-to-head record between these sides. The two teams have played 33 T20 internationals, with India winning 21, New Zealand winning 11 and one match tied. Cricbuzz also notes that India have won 18 of their last 21 T20Is against New Zealand, a run that includes the March World Cup final. That recent dominance will give the visitors confidence, but New Zealand at home, in Wellington conditions, remain a dangerous side.

Pitch and Weather Report

The Wellington surface is a drop-in pitch that usually offers good bounce and pace, which suits stroke play and rewards bowlers who hit the deck hard. The famous Wellington wind is a major factor: it swirled at up to about 55 kph on match eve and is expected to ease, but it can still change how the ball travels in the air and how captains set fields. Some morning rain is expected to clear before the 8:00 PM start, with around 12C and overcast conditions forecast. Chasing has often been favoured at this venue, so the toss could again be important.

Where to Watch / Live Streaming

India: Sony Sports Network on TV and SonyLIV for live streaming
New Zealand: Sky Sport

FAQs

Q: When is the New Zealand vs India 3rd T20I? A: It is on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at Hnry Stadium in Wellington, starting at 8:00 PM local time (12:30 PM IST).

Q: What is the series situation? A: India lead the series 2-0 after two four-wicket wins in Christchurch, so a win in Wellington seals the series for India, while New Zealand must win to stay alive.

Q: Where can I watch the match? A: In India on the Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV, and in New Zealand on Sky Sport.

Q: Who are the key players to watch? A: Glenn Phillips, who has two fifties in two games, and Mitchell Santner, who took four wickets in the last game, for New Zealand; Abhishek Sharma and captain Shreyas Iyer for India.

Conclusion/Summary

In short, Wellington hosts a series-defining night for both sides. India need one more win to seal the series after two confident chases in Christchurch, while New Zealand need a complete performance, led by Phillips and Santner, to keep the contest alive. With bounce, pace and the famous Wellington wind all in play, expect another lively T20 contest, with the toss and the powerplay likely to shape the result.

Also read: New Zealand vs India, 2nd T20I recap

Preview and team news: New Zealand vs India, 3rd T20I on Cricbuzz