India vs New Zealand — 4th T20I Preview
Visakhapatnam, 28 January 2026
Cricket fans around the world are buzzing with excitement as India and New Zealand prepare to face off in the fourth T20 International of their ongoing five-match series. After thrashing the visitors in the first three games — taking a commanding 3-0 lead — India now has a chance to make it 4-0 and march towards a series whitewash before the deciding final two matches.
In this article, we’ll break down when and where this match is being played, what to expect from the pitch and conditions, the likely playing XIs for both teams, the latest injury news, recent performances, and a brief look at the stakes for both sides — all in straightforward language that respects the sport and the fans.
Match Details — When & Where
The fourth T20I between India (IND) and New Zealand (NZ) will take place on 28 January 2026, with a scheduled start time of around 7:00 PM IST.
📍 Venue:
Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium,
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
This seaside stadium is known for being batting-friendly, encouraging high totals because the surface usually has good pace and bounce that helps batters score freely.
The coastal location also means conditions can change — especially after sunset — due to dew, which often makes the ball harder to grip for bowlers in the second innings.
Pitch Report — What to Expect
Understanding the pitch is vital in T20 cricket, since a few extra runs per over can change the outcome dramatically.
Visakhapatnam Pitch Conditions
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Flat and batting-friendly: The pitch at this stadium is traditionally known for being a “run-machine.” Batsmen enjoy the consistent bounce, allowing them to play lofted shots and make big totals.
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Fast outfield: With quick outfield conditions, well-timed shots often race to the boundary.
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Dew factor likely: Dew later in the evening can make gripping the ball difficult for spinners and even pacers. That often gives a second-inning chasing team a slight advantage.
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Average first-innings score: Around 148 runs, which is competitive but easily chaseable on a wicket that plays true for batters.
Given this makeup, captains may prefer to bowl first after winning the toss, aiming to exploit early movement and then chase under favourable conditions later in the evening.
Recent Form & Context
Before we dive into playing XIs, here’s a snapshot of how both teams have performed in this series so far:
India’s Form
India has been in dominant T20 form, winning all three matches played so far in this series — culminating in a record chase where they reached a target of 154 in just 10 overs during the third T20I.
Some standout individual performances:
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Abhishek Sharma hit a blistering 14-ball half-century, one of the fastest in Indian T20 history, and helped India chase the target with ease in the third game.
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India’s bowling unit has also been disciplined, regularly taking early wickets and keeping the opposition under pressure.
New Zealand’s Challenge
New Zealand, also called the Black Caps, have struggled to find consistency in this series. Despite being a resilient side on their day, they have been unable to counter India’s depth in both batting and bowling.
The Kiwis will be desperate to regain momentum and avoid going 4-0 down — which would be a psychological blow ahead of bigger tournaments like the T20 World Cup.
Team News — Playing XIs & Injury Updates
India — Likely Playing XI
The final team has not been officially published for the 4th T20I yet, but based on recent matches and announcements, here’s India’s probable 15-member squad and playing XI options:
Probable Indian Squad (T20Is):
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Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
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Abhishek Sharma
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Sanju Samson (wk)
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Ishan Kishan (wk)
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Hardik Pandya
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Rinku Singh
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Shivam Dube
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Axar Patel (Vice-captain)
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Jasprit Bumrah
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Arshdeep Singh
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Varun Chakravarthy
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Ravi Bishnoi
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Harshit Rana
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Rinku Singh / other all-round options
(Based on series squad details and recent form)
Key Injury Update (India):
✔️ Tilak Varma — Ruled out of the 4th and 5th T20Is due to injury. He is working toward recovery ahead of the T20 World Cup but will not play in this match.
❗ Shreyas Iyer — has been retained in the squad as a stable middle-order option in place of other injured/rotating players.
This mix gives India a blend of powerful hitters, experienced campaigners, and match-winning bowlers — perfect for a pitch that rewards aggressive cricket and tactical bowling changes.
New Zealand — Likely Playing XI
New Zealand have also not released a confirmed XI for the fourth T20I yet, but based on full squad registrations and players who have featured in earlier matches, the likely XI includes:
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Mitchell Santner (Captain)
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Devon Conway
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Tim Seifert (wk)
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Rachin Ravindra
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Glenn Phillips
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Mark Chapman
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Daryl Mitchell
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Matt Henry
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Ish Sodhi
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James Neesham
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Kyle Jamieson / Jacob Duffy / other pacer
(Exact combination may vary day-of based on conditions and fitness)
Injury & Availability (New Zealand):
Earlier reports suggested New Zealand suffered setbacks to key players like Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, and Nathan Smith before the series started — but the exact status for this particular match is still subject to confirmation from the team.
Since Mitchell Santner is still listed as captain in recent scorecards, he is likely fit; however, managing workload and preventing injuries before bigger events (like the T20 World Cup) is always a priority for teams.
Captaincy, Strategy & Key Matchups
India’s Strategy
India’s approach so far suggests:
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Aggressive batting top-order: Taking advantage of batting-friendly conditions to set or chase big scores early.
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Balanced bowling unit: With Jasprit Bumrah leading the pace attack and spin options like Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy, India has a diverse bowling attack capable of adapting whether defending runs or taking early wickets.
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Fielding energy: India’s athletic fielding has been excellent, with key moments turning matches — like brilliant catches and tight ground coverage.
New Zealand’s Challenge
New Zealand need to:
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Post a competitive total early — something that can pressure India’s chase on a flat surface.
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Middle-order stability — players like Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips must play long, impactful innings to set up big totals.
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Bowling discipline: Especially in death overs where India’s hitters thrive.
Weather & Conditions on Match Day
According to forecasts for Visakhapatnam on 28 January, conditions should remain pleasant and conducive to cricket, with little to no chance of rain disrupting play.
The coastal breeze and mild humidity will make night-time batting easier, while the sun earlier in the day helps keep the pitch firm — another reason why the toss decision could be crucial.
Significance — What This Match Means
For India
India’s intention is clear: consolidate their dominance in the series, maintain momentum going into the T20 World Cup, and give opportunities to both experienced and emerging players in a high-pressure environment.
A 4-0 lead gives them confidence and flexibility to try different combinations before the final T20Is, which also acts as a rehearsal for World Cup strategies.
For New Zealand
For the Black Caps, this match is about survival and pride. After trailing 3-0, they want to:
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Stop the streak
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Get back into the series mentally
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Build momentum
A win here could shift confidence and allow them to regroup, especially with World Cup qualifiers approaching.
