IND vs NZ 2026: 3 Indian players to watch out for in T20I series

Published - 18 Jan 2026, 18:03 IST | Updated - 18 Jan 2026, 18:17 IST

The five-match T20I series between India and New Zealand is set to begin on January 21 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur. With Suryakumar Yadav leading a refreshed Indian side that includes several new faces, the series holds significant importance as part of India’s preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka starting February 7.

As both teams look to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the global event, CricTracker has a deep dive into three interesting names from the Indian team who will be having a lot of spotlight on them during the upcoming five-match series against the BlackCaps.

The wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players to watch in this series. He earned his recall to the Indian squad after a sensational campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, where he played a pivotal role in leading Jharkhand to the title. Kishan finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer, amassing 511 runs in 10 innings, including two centuries and two half-centuries, at a staggering strike rate of 197.32.

In T20Is, Kishan has played 32 matches for India, scoring 796 runs with six half-centuries to his name. While these numbers may appear modest, his current form and confidence make him a key player to watch. A strong showing in this series could help him cement his place ahead of the World Cup.