India have already won the series, and they’ve done it the hard way. Two of their three wins came with a ball or two to spare, and the third came courtesy of Abhishek Sharma’s 38-ball century. Now the teams move to Eden Park in Auckland for the 4th T20I. India lead 3-0, New Zealand are short of fast bowlers, and the hosts have one more chance to avoid a whitewash. This guide explains match previews, key players, and cricket match predictions for the upcoming T20I match.
Match Details
- Match: New Zealand vs India, 4th T20I, India tour of New Zealand
- Date: Friday, 30 October 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM NZDT (7:00 AM GMT, 12:30 PM IST)
- Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
- Series status: India lead the five-match series 3-0
Why This Match Matters
The series is decided, so the 4th T20I is about other things. For New Zealand, it’s a chance to stop a clean sweep and find a better balance with the ball before the ODI and Test series that follow. Matt Henry is out of the remaining T20Is, and Lockie Ferguson, who missed the third game, is expected back for the last two. Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes were ruled out before the series began.
For India, it’s a chance to test their depth. Captain Shreyas Iyer named an unchanged XI for the third match, and with the series won, a few changes wouldn’t be a surprise.
Series Schedule and Results
| Match | Date | Venue | Result |
| 1st T20I | 22 Oct | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | India won by 4 wickets (NZ 225/4, India 230/6) |
| 2nd T20I | 24 Oct | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | India won by 4 wickets (NZ 180/5, India 181/6) |
| 3rd T20I | 27 Oct | Hnry Stadium, Wellington | India won by 6 wickets (NZ 198/3, India 199/4) |
| 4th T20I | 30 Oct | Eden Park, Auckland | Yet to be played |
| 5th T20I | 1 Nov | Seddon Park, Hamilton | Yet to be played |
How the Series Has Gone
New Zealand’s batters have scored 225, 180 and 198, and Glenn Phillips (82 not out and 70) and Daryl Mitchell (89 not out) have led the way. India has answered every time. Sanju Samson made 67 off 33 in the first match, Tilak Varma won the second with 51 not out off 26 after Mitchell Santner’s 4 for 21 had left them at 70 for 5, and Abhishek Sharma’s 113 off 38 won the third. India’s openers scored 132 in the first seven overs of that chase.
In January, New Zealand won the 4th T20I in Visakhapatnam by 50 runs, making 215/7 and bowling India out for 165, though India took that series 4-1.
Squads and Recent Form
New Zealand
Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner.
New Zealand’s batting has done its job. They’ve scored 225, 180 and 198 in the three games, and Phillips and Mitchell have both made big scores. The trouble has been the ball and the field. Poor fielding gave India’s batters four reprieves in the second match, and the bowlers have been rotated heavily. Matthew Fisher came into the side in Wellington.
India
Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan (wk), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav.
India’s batting depth has saved them twice. They lost early wickets in both close chases and still got home. The bowling has been less steady. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, back after nearly four years, had conceded 99 runs in eight overs in the first two matches with one wicket, while Arshdeep Singh took 2 for 33 in the second game.
Pitch and Conditions
Eden Park has produced some of New Zealand’s biggest T20I totals, including 243/6 against Australia in 2018 and 226/8 against Pakistan in 2024. It’s a ground where high scores are common. Dew can also matter at night games in New Zealand. It helped the chasing side in Christchurch in the first match, though it wasn’t a factor two days later.
Expected Playing XI
| New Zealand | India |
| Tim Seifert (wk) | Sanju Samson (wk) |
| Finn Allen | Abhishek Sharma |
| Daryl Mitchell | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi |
| Glenn Phillips | Shreyas Iyer (c) |
| Bevon Jacobs | Tilak Varma |
| Michael Bracewell | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
| Mitchell Santner (c) | Naman Dhir |
| Kyle Jamieson | Axar Patel |
| Adam Milne | Arshdeep Singh |
| Jacob Duffy | Kuldeep Yadav |
| Lockie Ferguson | Prince Yadav |
These are guesses based on the squads and the third match, and India in particular may rotate.
Players to Watch
- Abhishek Sharma (India): His 38-ball century won the third match in Wellington. He also made 29 off 12 in the first match.
- Tilak Varma (India): His 51 not out off 26 won the second match.
- Glenn Phillips (New Zealand): He scored 82 not out and 70 in the first two games. He’s been New Zealand’s most consistent batter so far.
- Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand): His unbeaten 89 in the third game showed he can carry an innings.
- Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): The captain’s 4 for 21 in Christchurch almost won the game. His left-arm spin is New Zealand’s best weapon against India’s middle order.
Key Battles
- Abhishek Sharma vs New Zealand’s new-ball bowlers. Jamieson, Duffy and, if he returns, Ferguson have to stop him early. When he gets a start, India’s total or chase runs away.
- Santner and Bracewell vs India’s middle order. Both spinners have taken wickets in the series, and India lost wickets in a cluster each time.
- Glenn Phillips vs India’s attack. He has scored 82 not out and 70, and Arshdeep, Axar and Kuldeep haven’t found a consistent answer yet.
Prediction
India have the momentum. They’ve won three out of three, they’ve chased successfully twice in tight finishes, and their batting depth makes them hard to beat. New Zealand have the ability to bounce back, especially at Eden Park, where their batters have scored heavily before, but their bowling is stretched. The biggest unknown is whether India rotate their side. We expect India to win, though if New Zealand’s bowlers can hold the openers early, the hosts have a real chance of a win.
Final Words
India want to finish the series strongly, and New Zealand want to avoid a clean sweep. Eden Park has a record of high scores, and how both sides handle the spinners in the middle overs could decide it. If you want latest news, cricket match prediction, and betting tips for upcoming matches, follow Betbricks7. Visit our website and place your first bet with confidence!
FAQs
When is New Zealand vs India, 4th T20I?
It’s on Friday, 30 October 2026, with a start at 8:00 PM NZDT (7:00 AM GMT, 12:30 PM IST), at Eden Park in Auckland.
What is the series score?
India lead 3-0 after winning the first three T20Is, so the series is already decided.
Who are the captains?
Mitchell Santner captains New Zealand, and Shreyas Iyer captains India, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain.
What happened in the last T20I?
India won the 3rd T20I by six wickets in Wellington. New Zealand made 198/3, and India chased it in 13.2 overs thanks to Abhishek Sharma’s 113.
When is the 5th T20I?
It’s on Sunday, 1 November 2026 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.