Hagley Oval hosts New Zealand against India in the 1st T20I, number 1 in a 12-match India tour of New Zealand, 2026. It is listed for Thursday 22 October 2026, with the start at 19:30 IST. New Zealand have home conditions on their side, which our model counts as a small edge.
New Zealand's edge is their pace attack, while India's is their batting depth. The side whose strength suits Hagley Oval gets the first say. Hagley Oval is a ground where seam and swing are on offer and the boundaries are big, so we expect a green / seam surface with a first-innings score around 169–196 for India and 156–181 for New Zealand.
Changeable weather is normal, and a cool, overcast morning suits the seamers. The toss lean is to bowl first. Early movement makes bowling first attractive while the surface still has life.