New Zealand Cricket 2026–27 Season

The story so far

Mitchell Santner was named captain of a 16-player Black Caps squad for a five-match T20I series against India, with Rachin Ravindra out for at least six weeks after dislocating his shoulder.^{23 Sep} India won the first T20 at Hagley Oval by four wickets, chasing 226 in a record run-chase in T20 cricket, and then won the second by four wickets with one ball to spare.^{21, 23 Oct} Separately, the White Ferns, led by Amelia Kerr under interim coach Dean Brownlie, lost the T20I series in Australia 2-0 after losses by two wickets and by 40 runs.^{2, 18, 20 Oct} The third match was abandoned because of rain, with New Zealand 11 for two in the third over.^{22 Oct} New Zealand Cricket has also faced reports of internal conflict over the future of the sport, and has withdrawn from plans for a franchise in the 2027 Major League Cricket season.^{14, 21 Oct}

Latest

The Black Caps trail India 0-2 and face them in the third T20I at Hnry Stadium in Wellington, trying to avoid a series defeat.^{23, 27 Oct} New Zealand is seeking its first home win against India in nine completed T20Is.^{27 Oct}

What's next

Rachin Ravindra is due to return for the five-match ODI series against India starting 4 November.^{10 Oct}

Key moments

1. 23 SepSantner named captain of 16-player squad for India T20I series
2. 10 OctRavindra named to return for the ODI series against India
3. 18 OctAustralia beat White Ferns by two wickets in series opener
4. 20 OctAustralia win second T20 by 40 runs and take the series
5. 21 OctIndia chase 226 to win first T20 at Hagley Oval
6. 21 OctNZ Cricket pulls out of 2027 Major League Cricket franchise plans
7. 22 OctRain abandons the third White Ferns T20 in Sydney
8. 23 OctIndia win second T20 and lead the series 2-0

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.