Veteran New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham has fired the first shot ahead of the Black Caps' tour of India in January 2026, suggesting the conditions have often been "favorable" for the home side in major tournaments. As the Kiwis gear up for a series of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), Neesham's comments add an extra layer of anticipation to an already highly anticipated contest.
Neesham, currently participating in the ILT20, acknowledged India's strength, but subtly reminded everyone that home advantage can play a significant role. "They [India] are a very strong team," Neesham stated in a recent interview. "They've had some mixed results lately, which has drawn a lot of media attention, but the level of talent they have is unquestioned. It's a great challenge for us before the World Cup".
The series is strategically placed ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka starting February 7. For New Zealand, this tour presents a vital opportunity to acclimatize to the subcontinent conditions. Head coach Rob Walter emphasized the importance of this exposure, noting it will be crucial for New Zealand's World Cup ambitions.
New Zealand has announced separate ODI and T20I squads for the Indian tour. Michael Bracewell will captain the ODI side, while Mitchell Santner will lead the T20I squad as he continues his return from injury. The T20I squad will be bolstered later in the series by players completing franchise commitments. Several senior players are returning across both formats, alongside emerging talents who have been rewarded for strong domestic performances. Jayden Lennox, a left-arm orthodox bowler, has earned his first call-up to the Black Caps squad and has been named in the ODI squad. Kyle Jamieson features in both formats following his recovery.
The ODI series commences on January 11 in Vadodara, followed by matches in Rajkot and Indore. The T20I series kicks off on January 21 in Nagpur, with subsequent matches in Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram.
Neesham also addressed his own IPL career, admitting he hasn't had consistent game time despite playing for multiple franchises. He expressed hope that Finn Allen might secure a significant deal in the upcoming IPL 2026 mini-auction.
As the series approaches, all eyes will be on how New Zealand adapts to the Indian conditions and whether they can challenge the perceived home advantage. Neesham's comments have certainly added spice to what promises to be a thrilling contest between two cricketing powerhouses.
