where to watch india national cricket team vs new zealand national cricket team
Introduction: Where to Watch India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team
Few fixtures in world cricket carry as much weight as India against New Zealand. The two sides have met in thrilling World Cup knockouts, a World Test Championship final, Champions Trophy clashes and many bilateral series. Whenever they are due to meet, the first question fans ask is simple: where can I watch India vs New Zealand live?
The answer depends on three things: where you are, which format is being played, and who holds the broadcast rights for that series. This guide covers the TV channels, streaming apps and free options for fans in India, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Pakistan and other regions. It also explains match timings, how to stream without buffering, and what to do if you can’t watch live.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: Where to Watch India vs New Zealand Live
Here is the short version, based on the broadcasters that carried the most recent India vs New Zealand matches.
| Country | TV Broadcaster | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports Network | JioHotstar app and website |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ | Sky Sport Now / Sky Go |
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports (bilateral series), Sky Sports (ICC events) | TNT Sports / Discovery+, Now Sports |
| USA and Canada | Willow TV | Willow app, Sling TV |
| Pakistan | A Sports | Tapmad / Tamasha app |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport app |
Broadcast rights can change from one series to the next. In 2024, for example, India’s home Tests against New Zealand were shown on Sports18 and JioCinema, while the 2026 home series moved to Star Sports and JioHotstar. Always confirm the broadcaster for the specific match before you plan your viewing.
Where to Watch India vs New Zealand in India
Indian fans have the most options, and the most competition for screen time during a big match.
Live TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network
In recent series, the Star Sports Network has been the official television broadcaster of India vs New Zealand matches in India. The network usually carries the match across several channels so fans can pick their preferred commentary language:
- Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD for English commentary
- Star Sports 1 Hindi and its HD feed for Hindi commentary
- Regional language feeds, such as Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, depending on the series
Channel numbers differ between cable operators and DTH providers like Airtel Digital TV, Tata Play, Dish TV and Sun Direct. Check your operator’s channel list or use the on-screen guide to find the right numbers.
Live Streaming: JioHotstar
For mobile, tablet, laptop and smart TV viewers in India, JioHotstar is the main streaming platform. It streams the match live on its app and website. You can usually choose between commentary languages and, on many matches, between feed qualities depending on your internet speed.
To watch:
- Download the JioHotstar app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, or open the website.
- Log in with your mobile number or create an account.
- Choose a subscription plan if the match is not free.
- Search for the India vs New Zealand match and tap the live tile.
Subscription plans and pricing change over time, so check the in-app plan details before you pay. Mobile-only plans are often cheaper than plans that allow TV and multi-device viewing.
Watching Through Telecom and DTH Apps
Several Indian telecom and DTH providers bundle streaming access into their packs. Airtel Xstream Play, for example, has carried JioHotstar content as part of its entertainment bundles. If you already pay for a telecom plan, check whether it includes JioHotstar access, because that could save you a separate subscription.
Is It Free to Watch in India?
Not always. Bilateral series involving India are usually behind a subscription on both TV and streaming. Some matches or mobile feeds may be offered free for a limited time as a promotion, but this depends on the series and the platform. For ICC events, free-to-air or free-streaming options sometimes exist in certain regions, and a few were offered for the 2026 T20 World Cup final, so check the official ICC website before the match.
Where to Watch India vs New Zealand in New Zealand
New Zealand fans traditionally watch the Black Caps on Sky Sport NZ. Sky Sport Now and the Sky Go app let subscribers stream matches on phones, tablets and computers. During India’s tours of New Zealand, the series is usually shown live on one of the Sky Sport channels, and Sky also carries ICC events like the T20 World Cup.
Because of the time difference, matches played in India often fall during New Zealand’s evening or night, while matches in New Zealand can start in the early hours of the morning for Indian fans.
Where to Watch India vs New Zealand in Other Countries
India vs New Zealand has a huge global audience, especially among the South Asian diaspora. Here is how to watch from other major cricket regions.
United Kingdom
UK fans have typically watched bilateral India vs New Zealand series on TNT Sports, which can also be streamed through the Discovery+ app or website. ICC events such as the T20 World Cup have been on Sky Sports, with streaming through Now Sports passes.
United States and Canada
Willow TV is the main home of international cricket in North America. It is available through cable and satellite packages, through Sling TV in the USA, and through the Willow app and website. Many fans buy a monthly or season pass instead of a full TV package.
Pakistan
Fans in Pakistan have been able to watch India vs New Zealand series on A Sports and stream through the Tapmad or Tamasha apps. Rights holders vary by series.
South Africa
SuperSport has been the main broadcaster for international cricket in South Africa, with streaming available on the SuperSport app for DStv subscribers.
Australia
Australia’s rights for non-Australian bilateral series change often. Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports have carried major international cricket in the past, so check them first, along with the official ICC channels for global events.
Other Regions
In the Caribbean, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, rights are usually sold to regional broadcasters like ESPN, Astro Cricket, StarHub, CricLife, T Sports and YuppTV. Search for the match name along with your country to find the current rights holder.
Match Timings and Time Zone Tips
India Standard Time (IST) is UTC+5:30. New Zealand is ahead of India by 6.5 hours during New Zealand Standard Time and 7.5 hours during daylight saving time, which runs from late September to early April.
That means a match starting at 7:00 PM IST in India begins at about 1:30 AM or 2:30 AM the next day in New Zealand, depending on the time of year. A 1:30 PM IST start becomes roughly 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM in New Zealand. Before you plan your viewing, convert the start time to your own time zone and add the toss time, which is usually 30 minutes earlier.
Recent India vs New Zealand Series: What Happened and Where It Was Shown
A look at the latest series helps explain how broadcast arrangements usually work.
The January 2026 ODI Series
New Zealand toured India for a three-match ODI series. The matches were played at Vadodara on 11 January, Rajkot on 14 January and Indore on 18 January, each starting at 1:30 PM IST. They were broadcast on Star Sports and streamed on JioHotstar in India, on Sky Sport NZ in New Zealand, on TNT Sports in the UK, and on Willow TV in the USA.
The January 2026 T20I Series
A five-match T20I series followed, with all matches starting at 7:00 PM IST. The venues were Nagpur on 21 January, Raipur on 23 January, Guwahati on 25 January, Visakhapatnam on 28 January and Thiruvananthapuram on 31 January. The series served as preparation for the T20 World Cup, and the broadcast setup matched the ODIs: Star Sports and JioHotstar in India, Sky Sport NZ in New Zealand.
The 2026 T20 World Cup Final
The two teams also met in the T20 World Cup 2026 final on 8 March, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. In India it was shown on Star Sports and JioHotstar, in the UK on Sky Sports, and in New Zealand on Sky Sport Now. It was also made free-to-air through ICC.tv in some regions, which is a good reminder that ICC events often have different rules from bilateral series.
A Rivalry Built on Big Moments
Part of why people search for where to watch India vs New Zealand is the history behind the fixture. A few moments stand out.
- 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final: New Zealand beat India in a low-scoring, tense match that ended India’s tournament.
- 2021 World Test Championship final: New Zealand beat India in Southampton to win the inaugural WTC title.
- 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final: India beat New Zealand in Mumbai to reach the final.
- 2024 Test series in India: New Zealand won all three Tests, a rare result for a visiting team in India.
- 2025 Champions Trophy final: India beat New Zealand in Dubai to lift the trophy.
Results like these show how evenly matched the sides are in knockout games, which is why every meeting draws a big audience.
Watching by Format: Tests, ODIs and T20Is
Test Matches
Tests run for up to five days, with play typically starting in the morning in the host country. Broadcasters usually show full-day coverage with pre-match and post-match shows. If you can’t follow all five days, daily highlights packages are available on most platforms and official social channels.
One Day Internationals
ODIs are the most flexible format for viewers because they fit into a single day. Day-night matches in India have often started at 1:30 PM IST, which suits both evening viewers in Asia and morning viewers in Europe.
T20 Internationals
T20Is typically start in the evening in India, around 7:00 PM IST, which makes them the most convenient for working fans. They also finish in about three and a half hours.
How to Watch on Different Devices
On a Smart TV
Install the broadcaster’s app, such as JioHotstar, Sky Go or Willow, from your TV’s app store. If the app is not available on your TV, you can use a streaming stick, a game console or casting from your phone.
On a Mobile Phone
Mobile apps are the easiest way to catch a match on the go. Use Wi-Fi or a strong 4G/5G connection, and choose a lower video quality if you are on limited mobile data.
On a Laptop or Computer
Open the broadcaster’s website in an up-to-date browser, log in and click on the live match. This is a good option if you want to keep scores, commentary and social media open alongside the stream.
Tips for Smooth Live Streaming
Nothing is worse than buffering during the final over. These simple steps help.
- Test your connection early. Open the stream a few minutes before the toss to check that the app, login and subscription are working.
- Use a stable connection. Wi-Fi is usually more reliable than mobile data during peak viewing.
- Close other apps and downloads. Background updates and video calls use bandwidth.
- Update the app. Older versions can crash or lag.
- Choose the right quality. HD uses much more data than standard definition.
- Have a backup. Keep the TV broadcast or a second device ready in case the stream drops.
Legal vs Illegal Streaming
Always use official broadcasters. Unofficial streams can be unreliable, show intrusive ads, expose your device to malware and put your personal data at risk. They also harm the sport, because broadcast revenue funds cricket boards, players and grassroots cricket. Official platforms offer better quality, reliable commentary and customer support.
What to Do If You Can’t Watch Live
You can still follow India vs New Zealand if you are at work, travelling or in a different time zone.
- Live score apps and websites: Sites such as ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz offer ball-by-ball updates and commentary.
- Official social media: The BCCI, New Zealand Cricket and ICC share key moments, wickets and boundaries in real time.
- Highlights packages: Most broadcasters upload highlights within hours of the final ball.
- Radio commentary: Radio still carries ball-by-ball commentary in several countries, and it works well on a commute.
- Replays: Many streaming platforms keep a full replay available after the match ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which channel shows India vs New Zealand live in India?
In recent series, the Star Sports Network has been the TV broadcaster in India. Check the specific series, because rights can change.
Which app is best for watching India vs New Zealand live?
For Indian viewers, JioHotstar has been the main streaming platform for recent matches. Outside India, use the app of the local rights holder, such as Sky Go in New Zealand or Willow in North America.
Is India vs New Zealand free to watch?
Usually not for bilateral series, which are mostly behind a TV or streaming subscription. Some ICC events and promotional offers have provided free viewing in certain regions, so check the official ICC website.
What time do India vs New Zealand matches start?
It depends on the format and venue. Recent ODIs in India started at 1:30 PM IST, and recent T20Is started at 7:00 PM IST. Always check the official schedule and convert it to your time zone.
Can I watch India vs New Zealand from outside India?
Yes, but the broadcaster depends on your country. Use the table at the top of this guide as a starting point, and confirm the rights holder before the match.
Where can I watch highlights?
Official broadcasters, the BCCI, New Zealand Cricket and the ICC usually publish highlights on their apps and social media channels shortly after each day’s play or each match.
Conclusion
Watching India vs New Zealand is easy once you know which broadcaster holds the rights for the series. In India, Star Sports on TV and JioHotstar for streaming have carried the latest matches. In New Zealand, Sky Sport NZ is the home of the Black Caps. Fans in the UK, USA, Pakistan and South Africa have their own regional rights holders.
Because rights, schedules and subscription plans can change, confirm the channel and start time a few days before the match. Check your time zone, test your stream early and stick to official platforms. Then settle in for another chapter in one of cricket’s best modern rivalries.
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