New Zealand make special request to BCCI in middle of T20 World Cup 2026: Reports
India will tour New Zealand for the first time in four years.
India will tour New Zealand for an exciting series in October this year. India last toured New Zealand in 2022, when the two countries played three ODIs and three T20Is each.
This 2026 tour of India to New Zealand will be an all-format series. India will play two test matches, which are crucial for Shubman Gill and his men, due to India’s poor performance in the ongoing WTC cycle. India will also play five T20Is, but the number of ODIs may change.
The last time India played an all-format series in New Zealand was way back in 2020, when India registered a 5-0 win in T20Is, but were hammered in ODIs and Tests, losing 0-3 and 0-2 against Kane Williamson’s men.
What special request did New Zealand ask from the BCCI?
Cricket in New Zealand is popular, but no country’s love for the sport matches India’s. The New Zealand cricket board knows this, and they are now looking to take advantage.
According to CricHub, the NZC has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India to add two more ODIs to the originally planned schedule of three.
This will make it a five-match ODI series. The reason for this request is the participation of Indian legends, including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Both players currently play only in the 50-over format, and fans are waiting to see them in action. This will indirectly benefit the New Zealand Cricket Board, and that is why they have made this request.
Apart from this, the 2027 ODI World Cup is the next biggest competition. India already has ODI series lined up against Afghanistan, England, and the West Indies, in preparation for the World Cup, which will be held in South Africa next year.
The decision to include two ODIs in the New Zealand tour is likely to be accepted by the BCCI as it will give the players more playing time before the crucial event.
India’s tour to NZ schedule
- 2 Tests
- 5 T20Is
- 5 ODIs (To be confirmed)
What special request did New Zealand ask from the BCCI?
They have requested the BCCI to add two more ODIs to the originally planned schedule of three.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.