India vs New Zealand Series 2026: 3 Indian Commentators Included in Star-Studded Panel, Check Full List
India’s upcoming tour of New Zealand is already generating plenty of interest, and now there is another reason for cricket fans to look forward to the series. The commentary panel for the India vs New Zealand series 2026 has been announced, with three well-known Indian voices set to be part of the broadcast team.
Ravi Shastri, Sunil Gavaskar and Harsha Bhogle have all been included in the 11-member commentary setup announced by New Zealand broadcaster Sky Sport on September 14. Interestingly, the three Indian commentators will also be part of the Hindi commentary feed, giving Indian viewers a familiar voice throughout the tour.
The upcoming series is a major one for both teams as India are scheduled to play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests in New Zealand between October and December. It will also be India’s first full all-format tour of New Zealand since 2020.
Ravi Shastri, Gavaskar and Harsha Bhogle in the panel
The inclusion of three Indian commentators is likely to make the coverage even more attractive for viewers back home.
Former India head coach and cricketer Ravi Shastri will be part of the commentary team for the white-ball leg of the tour. He will feature during the five-match T20I series and the five ODIs.
Meanwhile, legendary former India opener Sunil Gavaskar and experienced broadcaster Harsha Bhogle have been selected for the Test series. Their presence should add plenty of experience and insight to the longest format.
Sky Sport will provide a Hindi commentary feed on its world feed for the India-New Zealand series. In India, the series will be broadcast on Sony Sports, while viewers in other regions will be able to access the Hindi commentary through Sky Sport Select.
Sony Sports is yet to announce its own commentary panel for the series. However, the Hindi commentators selected for the world feed are expected to feature as part of the overall broadcast coverage.
Full India vs New Zealand commentary panel
The commentary lineup is packed with former international cricketers and experienced broadcasters from both countries.
For the T20I and ODI series, the panel includes Ian Smith, Ravi Shastri, Stephen Fleming, Simon Doull, Katey Martin, Ross Taylor, Tim Southee, Scott Styris and Shane Bond.
The Test commentary team will feature Ian Smith, Simon Doull, Sunil Gavaskar, Katey Martin, Harsha Bhogle and Scott Styris.
The combination of former players from India and New Zealand should provide plenty of insight, particularly during the Test matches. Fans will also get to hear from several former New Zealand stars who know the conditions and venues extremely well.
The presence of Stephen Fleming, Ross Taylor, Tim Southee and Shane Bond during the white-ball matches adds another interesting layer to the coverage.
India vs New Zealand series begins on October 22
The India vs New Zealand series 2026 will officially begin on October 22 with the opening T20I at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The two teams will play five T20Is before moving on to the five-match ODI series. The tour will then conclude with two Tests, making it a packed schedule for the Indian team.
The T20I matches will be played across Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton. The ODI series will then take the teams to Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Tauranga.
The Test series will begin in Wellington on November 19 before the second and final Test is played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from November 27.
Both teams are yet to announce their squads for the tour, so there is still plenty of suspense surrounding which players will make the trip.
India vs New Zealand full schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 22 | 1st T20I | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 8 PM |
| October 24 | 2nd T20I | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 8 PM |
| October 27 | 3rd T20I | Henry Stadium, Wellington | 8 PM |
| October 30 | 4th T20I | Eden Park, Auckland | 8 PM |
| November 1 | 5th T20I | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 8 PM |
| November 4 | 1st ODI | Eden Park, Auckland | 3 PM |
| November 7 | 2nd ODI | Henry Stadium, Wellington | 3 PM |
| November 10 | 3rd ODI | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 3 PM |
| November 13 | 4th ODI | Bay Oval, Tauranga | 3 PM |
| November 15 | 5th ODI | Bay Oval, Tauranga | 3 PM |
| November 19-23 | 1st Test | Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington | 11 AM |
| November 27-December 1 | 2nd Test | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 11 AM |
Why this tour matters for India
An all-format tour of New Zealand is always a challenging assignment. The conditions can test batters with movement in the air and off the pitch, while New Zealand’s fast bowlers traditionally enjoy playing at home.
For India, the tour will provide an opportunity to test their squad across three very different formats. The T20I series will demand aggressive cricket, while the ODI matches will require a more balanced approach. The two Tests, meanwhile, could be the toughest examination of the entire trip.
For New Zealand, playing India at home will also be a major opportunity. The Black Caps will know that a strong performance across all three formats can provide a huge boost, particularly against one of the world’s strongest cricket teams.
And for fans, the commentary lineup adds another reason to tune in. Whether it is Shastri bringing his familiar energy to the white-ball matches or Gavaskar and Bhogle providing their trademark analysis during the Tests, the broadcast promises to have plenty of personality.
With the series opener still more than a month away, attention will now shift towards the squad announcements. Once the players are confirmed, the excitement around the India vs New Zealand series 2026 is likely to rise another notch.
What are you most excited about — the five T20Is, five ODIs or the two-Test series? Let us know your opinion in the comments.
