India vs New Zealand 4th T20I: Comprehensive Match Preview for Vizag Encounter
The Indian cricket juggernaut continues its relentless march as Suryakumar Yadav's men prepare to face New Zealand in the fourth T20 International at Visakhapatnam's ACA-VDCA Stadium. With an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series, the hosts now set their sights on achieving a commanding 4-0 advantage against the visiting Kiwis in what promises to be another thrilling encounter under Wednesday night lights.
Match Details and Timing
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Venue: Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam
Squad Composition and Selection Dynamics
The Indian team management faces interesting selection decisions, particularly concerning the wicketkeeping position. Sanju Samson's recent struggles at the top order have raised questions, with the talented keeper-batter registering three consecutive failures including a golden duck in the previous Guwahati match. This has opened the door for Ishan Kishan, who remains in contention for the opener-keeper role, potentially setting up a direct shootout between the two glovemen if India decides to test their bench strength.
Predicted Playing Elevens
India's Likely XI: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy
New Zealand's Probable XI: Devon Conway, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (captain), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy/Lockie Ferguson
Historical Context and Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry between these two cricketing nations has produced memorable encounters over the years. In their 28 T20 International meetings so far, India holds a significant advantage with 17 victories compared to New Zealand's 10 wins. Interestingly, two of India's triumphs came via Super Over finishes, while one match ended in a tie, highlighting the competitive nature of this contest.
Visakhapatnam Pitch Analysis and Conditions
The ACA-VDCA Stadium in Vizag has traditionally been a batsman's paradise, and expectations remain high for another high-scoring affair. The surface last hosted an international T20 match in late 2023 when Australia posted a challenging 209-run target, which India successfully chased down with just one ball remaining in a thrilling two-wicket victory. With over 400 runs scored in that encounter, both teams can anticipate similar batting-friendly conditions that should produce plenty of fireworks.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
Cricket enthusiasts across India can catch all the live action through multiple platforms. The match will be telecast live on the Star Sports network channels, while digital streaming will be available on the JioHotstar application and website. Coverage begins at 7:00 PM IST, ensuring fans don't miss a single moment of this crucial series encounter.
Complete Squad Lists
India Squad: Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (vice-captain), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Ravi Bishnoi
New Zealand Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson
As the series progresses, India's dominance has been evident across all departments, with only the wicketkeeping conundrum presenting a minor concern. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be desperate to salvage pride and avoid a complete whitewash. The Vizag encounter promises to deliver compelling cricket as both teams look to fine-tune their strategies ahead of future international commitments.
