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1st ODI • Live Cricket Score
INDIA 🇮🇳 vs 🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND
Start Time: 1:30 PM IST (Sunday, 11 Jan)
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Welcome Sportspress247 Readers
By: Sportspress Senior Cricket Editor
Date: January 10, 2026
Match: India vs. New Zealand (1st ODI)
Date: 11 January | Sunday
Time: 1:30 PM IST (Toss at 1:00 PM)
Broadcasters: Star Sports & JioCinema
Stop what you are doing. Cancel your brunch plans. Tell your family the TV is booked.
Because this isn't just another Sunday. It is a "Super Sunday."
Tomorrow, on January 11th, the two most consistent teams in world cricket—India (The Powerhouse) and New Zealand (The Silent Assassins)—will collide to kick off a brand new ODI series.
If you are an Indian cricket fan, you know that a series against New Zealand is never "just a series." It is personal. They are the "Nice Guys" of world cricket, the team that smiles while they break your heart (yes, we still remember 2019). But when the Black Caps land on Indian soil, the narrative changes. The "Tigers at Home" (Team India) are a different beast altogether.
With the match starting at 1:30 PM IST, the stage is set for a classic Day/Night encounter. The lights will come on, the dew might fall, and the drama will be at its peak. Let’s dive deep into this blockbuster encounter with the correct tactical analysis.
CHAPTER 1: The Confusion – 12:30 PM or 1:30 PM? Let’s Clear the Air
Before we talk about cover drives and bouncers, let’s solve the confusion that has been floating around social media all morning.
Many fans (and even some posters) are seeing 12:30 PM written on banners.
However, Google and the official BCCI schedule confirm that the match starts at 1:30 PM.
Here is the deal:
- 12:30 PM: This is when the "Pre-Match Show" starts on TV (Star Sports) and Streaming (JioCinema). The experts will talk, the pitch report will happen, and the hype will build up.
- 1:00 PM: The Toss. The coin goes up.
- 1:30 PM: GAME ON. The first ball will be bowled.
So, do not panic if you tune in at 12:30 and see advertisements. The real action begins at 1:30 PM. This timing is crucial because it shifts the game from a "Day Match" to a proper "Day/Night" contest.
CHAPTER 2: The "1:30 PM" Tactical Shift – The Return of the Dew
Now that we know the match starts at 1:30 PM, the tactics change completely compared to a morning start. A 1:30 PM start means the match will likely finish around 9:15 PM or 9:30 PM.
The Villain: "The Dew Factor"
In January, winter is still present in many parts of India. As the sun sets around 5:30-6:00 PM, the temperature drops, and the humidity rises. This leads to Dew (Oss) settling on the outfield grass.
- Why does this matter? When the ball gets wet, it becomes like a bar of soap. Spinners cannot grip it. Fast bowlers bowl accidental full tosses.
- The Second Innings Advantage: The team batting second usually has a massive advantage because the ball skids onto the bat nicely, and the bowlers are helpless.
The Golden Rule: The Captain winning the toss MUST BOWL FIRST.
If Rohit Sharma flips the coin and wins, expect him to say "We will have a bowl" without a second thought. Chasing is the key to winning 1:30 PM games in India.
CHAPTER 3: The Rivalry – Fire vs. Ice
This matchup is a study in contrasts.
India plays cricket with passion, noise, and aggression. When a wicket falls, the roar of the stadium is deafening. The players wear their hearts on their sleeves.
New Zealand plays cricket like they are in a library. They are calm, calculated, and efficient. They don't sledge; they just execute plans with surgical precision.
The "Bogey Team" Narrative
For years, New Zealand was India's kryptonite in ICC events. They knocked India out when it mattered most. But in bilateral series—especially in India—the story is very different.
At home, India is a fortress. The spinning tracks, the humidity, and the relentless pressure from the crowd usually melt the "Ice" of the Black Caps. Tomorrow, New Zealand isn't just fighting 11 Indian players; they are fighting the conditions and the history books.
CHAPTER 4: Team India – The Juggernaut at Home
Let’s talk about the Men in Blue.
In 2026, the Indian ODI setup is looking scary. The depth of talent is ridiculous. If the top order fails, the middle order rescues. If the pacers don't get wickets, the spinners strangle the run rate.
The Batting Philosophy: "Go Big or Go Home"
Gone are the days of preserving wickets till the 40th over. The modern Indian ODI template is aggressive.
- The Powerplay (Overs 1-10): With a 1:30 PM start, the sun will be beating down. The pitch will be at its driest. This is the best time to bat. The openers will look to capitalize on this before the lights come on and the ball starts moving around in the twilight.
- The Middle Order: This is where the game is won. India's ability to rotate strike against spin is unmatched.
The Bowling Challenge
If India ends up bowling second (which they will try to avoid), the bowlers will have a towel tucked into their trousers. They will be constantly wiping the ball to keep it dry. The role of the wrist spinner becomes tricky here. If the ball is wet, can they still land the googly? That will be the test.
CHAPTER 5: The Black Caps – Do Not Write Them Off
It is the cardinal sin of cricket betting: Never bet against New Zealand.
They might not have the superstars with millions of Instagram followers, but they have a "System."
The "Adaptability" Masters
The reason New Zealand is so dangerous is that they adapt faster than any other team. If the pitch is swinging, they bowl full. If the pitch is slow, they bowl cutters. They read the conditions within 5 overs.
Key players for them will be the all-rounders. Players like Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell (who have excellent records in India) are the glue. They understand Indian pitches because they play so much franchise cricket here.
The "Swing" Threat
With the match going into the evening, the Twilight Phase (5:30 PM - 6:30 PM) is dangerous. Under the lights, the new ball often swings more than it does in the afternoon. If New Zealand is bowling second, Trent Boult (or their premier pacer) becomes lethal in this phase.
CHAPTER 6: Broadcast Experience – Where to Watch?
As seen in the official posters and Google updates, this series is a massive event.
Star Sports and JioCinema are bringing this to our screens.
This dual-platform approach means cricket is now everywhere.
- TV Viewers: Tune into Star Sports Network. The pre-match show starts at 12:30 PM, giving you one hour of expert analysis before the 1:30 PM start.
- Mobile/Online: JioCinema offers free streaming. Perfect for those who want to watch the match while traveling or under the blanket on a Sunday afternoon.
The fact that it's a Sunday launch means viewership records are likely to be broken. It’s the perfect storm: A holiday, two top-tier teams, and prime-time viewing hours.
CHAPTER 7: Pitch Report & Conditions (The 1:30 PM View)
While we wait for the official pitch report tomorrow at 12:30 PM, we can make an educated guess based on history.
The Surface:
Expect a "Belter." Indian curators usually prepare flat tracks for the 1st ODI of a series to entertain the crowd.
- First Innings (Afternoon): The ball will come onto the bat nicely. It will be hot. 300+ is a must.
- Second Innings (Evening): If dew arrives, the pitch will skid. Batting will become easier. If dew stays away, the pitch might slow down slightly, bringing spinners into play.
The Prediction:
If India bats first: 330-350
If New Zealand bats first: 270-290
CHAPTER 8: The Final Verdict – Who Wins?
Logic says India.
They are at home. They know the conditions. Their batting lineup is a machine. And the crowd support acts as a 12th man.
But the Toss will be the 13th man.
In a 1:30 PM Day/Night match, the team chasing usually wins 60% of the time in India due to the dew factor.
If India wins the toss and bowls, I predict a comfortable victory.
If New Zealand wins the toss and bowls, we are in for a nail-biter.
However, considering the firepower in the Indian ranks, I am backing the Men in Blue to start the series with a bang.
So, get your jerseys ready. Put the beverages in the fridge. The Sunday Blockbuster is here.
Prediction: India wins, likely chasing down a target.
FAQ: India vs. New Zealand 1st ODI 2026
Q1: When is the IND vs NZ 1st ODI match?
Ans: The match is scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Q2: What is the CORRECT match timing?
Ans: The match (First Ball) will begin at 1:30 PM IST. The Toss will happen at 1:00 PM. (Note: TV coverage begins at 12:30 PM, which causes some confusion).
Q3: Where can I watch the live streaming?
Ans: You can stream the match for free on the JioCinema app. For TV viewers, the match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network.
Q4: Will there be Dew in the match?
Ans: Yes, since the match starts at 1:30 PM and goes into the night, dew is expected in the second innings, which favors the chasing team.
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