Auckland, October 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India will look to extend their lead to 4-0 in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand when the teams meet in the fourth match at Eden Park on Friday. With the series already secured, India could use the opportunity to test their bench strength, with wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy among the players in contention for a place in the playing XI.
A sell-out crowd of nearly 40,000 is expected at Eden Park, setting a new attendance record for a bilateral series match in New Zealand. The previous record was 36,523, set during a men’s and women’s double-header between New Zealand and India at the same venue in 2019.
Kuldeep and Varun have had limited opportunities in recent months as India have preferred a batting-heavy combination, with batters extending down to number eight. The strategy has paid off in a series dominated by high scores. Kuldeep, who featured in two matches against the West Indies at home, has yet to play in the ongoing series. He could get a chance if India decide to rest Axar Patel or Naman Dhir, who has been in impressive form.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, playing his first international series in four years, delivered effective yorkers at the death in Wellington but has conceded 139 runs off 72 balls. Prince Yadav has kept Mayank Yadav out of the side for the last two matches and could retain his place.
Ishan Kishan’s availability remains uncertain after he missed two games with an adductor strain. If he sits out again, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could get another opportunity to partner the in-form Abhishek Sharma at the top of the order.
New Zealand, already without Matt Henry, have also lost Lockie Ferguson for the remainder of the series due to a calf injury. Their bowling attack has struggled to contain India’s top order, which smashed a record 118 runs in the powerplay in Wellington. Captain Mitchell Santner has been among the more effective bowlers but has received limited support. The hosts will need a stronger collective effort at Eden Park, a venue known for challenging conditions for bowlers.
According to CricViz, India have won 22 of their 34 T20Is against New Zealand, losing 11, with one match tied. India have won their last five matches against the Black Caps and nine of their previous 10 T20Is in New Zealand, including two victories in Super Overs.
India have also secured their third consecutive T20I series win in New Zealand. The hosts last defeated them at home in Hamilton in 2019.
Abhishek’s 35-ball century in Wellington was his fourth hundred in T20Is and 11th across all T20 cricket, the most by an Indian men’s batter. Since the start of 2025, he has scored 1,984 T20I runs at an average of 35.4 and a strike rate of 200.6, including 13 fifties and three centuries. His strike rates against Jacob Duffy and Kyle Jamieson stand at 228.3 and 338.1, respectively.
Match-ups could also influence India’s selection. Santner has dismissed Sanju Samson four times in seven innings, while Indian batters have played the sweep shot against spin on just 6.6 per cent of deliveries in 2026. Axar has dismissed Glenn Phillips five times, while Kuldeep has removed him four times in five innings, strengthening the wrist-spinner’s case for inclusion.
When: October 30, 2026, at 12:30 PM
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
Where to watch: Live telecast on Sony Sports Network channels, with live streaming available on the Sony LIV app and website.
Squads
India: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kumar Kushagra.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (captain), Devon Conway (wk), Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Bevon Jacobs, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Nathan Smith, Adam Milne, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher and Blair Tickner.
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