AUCKLAND — Following a high-octane 3-2 T20I series triumph, Team India resumes its white-ball battle against New Zealand in a five-match ODI series starting November 4, 2026, at Eden Park, Auckland. The bilateral series marks the crucial return of senior stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli into India’s 50-over setup as preparations intensify for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Match Overview & Key Broadcast Details
With matches kicking off in New Zealand, Indian fans will need early morning alarms as all five day-night encounters will begin at 7:30 AM IST (Toss at 7:00 AM IST). Shubman Gill captains Team India for the opening three matches before handing over leadership duties to Shreyas Iyer for the final two games.
“Sony Sports Network holds exclusive broadcast rights in India for the series, while free-to-air access is guaranteed for terrestrial DTH users via DD Sports.”
Where to Watch IND vs NZ ODI Series Free on TV?
Cricket enthusiasts without active OTT subscriptions or pay-TV packages can access the live action free of cost:
- DD Free Dish Users: The DD Sports channel will air all five India vs New Zealand ODI matches live without any monthly subscription charge or additional recharge requirement.
- Note for Cable/DTH Pay TV: DD Sports signals on private satellite providers (Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, Dish TV, Videocon d2h) remain encrypted for bilateral sports content due to broadcasting rights restrictions; cable subscribers must tune in via official pay channels.
Cable & Satellite TV Broadcast Channels
For viewers on private DTH networks and cable television, the series will be broadcast across multiple regional and audio feeds via Sony Sports Network:
- English: Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD
- Hindi: Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD
- Tamil, Telugu & Kannada: Sony Sports Ten 4 SD
- Regional Premium: Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD / Sony Vizha
How to Live Stream India vs New Zealand Online
Digital streaming rights for the India Tour of New Zealand 2026 are non-exclusive to JioHotstar or FanCode.
- Official OTT Platform: All 5 ODIs will be live-streamed exclusively on the Sony LIV app and website (sonyliv.com).
- Device Support: Subscribers can stream matches in Full HD across mobile devices, Smart TVs, laptops, and connected streaming devices.
Complete IND vs NZ 2026 ODI Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Venue | India Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | November 4, 2026 | Eden Park, Auckland | 7:30 AM IST |
| 2nd ODI | November 7, 2026 | Hnry Stadium, Wellington | 7:30 AM IST |
| 3rd ODI | November 10, 2026 | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 7:30 AM IST |
| 4th ODI | November 13, 2026 | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 7:30 AM IST |
| 5th ODI | November 15, 2026 | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 7:30 AM IST |
Head-to-Head & Team News
India and New Zealand have met in 123 One Day Internationals. India holds the advantage with 63 wins, compared to New Zealand’s 52 victories (1 tied match, 7 no-results).
New Zealand, captained by Mitchell Santner, faces major injury blows ahead of the series premiere, with Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman ruled out. Meanwhile, India has included all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy exclusively for the first ODI.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, viewers using DD Free Dish can watch the live telecast of the IND vs NZ ODI series completely free on the DD Sports channel without any monthly fee.
The entire 5-match ODI series will be streamed live exclusively on the Sony LIV app and official website.
The first ODI in Auckland starts at 7:30 AM IST on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, with the toss taking place at 7:00 AM IST.
Yes, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have returned to the squad for the 5-match ODI series in New Zealand.
Sony Sports Ten 3 SD and HD channels are providing live Hindi commentary for all matches in the series.
Analytical Summary & Road Ahead
This 5-match ODI series serves as an vital testing ground for India’s 50-over combination ahead of upcoming ICC tournaments. With split-captaincy arrangements (Shubman Gill leading games 1–3 and Shreyas Iyer taking over for games 4–5) and senior players managing workload transitions, India aims to combine elite stability with youthful middle-order depth. A series win on New Zealand soil would solidify India’s ranking momentum while clarifying key selection decisions for 2027.
Manish Kumar began his professional journey in digital marketing and performance marketing, and currently works as a Digital Marketing Excutive and SEO expert. With over 3 years of professional experience, he handles both strategy and execution. Currently, he manages digital marketing and performance marketing at ‘Shabd Sanchi’ (shabdsanchi.com).
