India, Sept. 17 -- The biggest challenge of 2026 for the Indian men's cricket team promises to be their full-fledged tour of New Zealand, where they will play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests, beginning October 22. There is plenty of excitement in New Zealand ahead of the series, with tickets selling like hot cakes. Not too long ago, India and New Zealand met in the T20 World Cup final in India, where the Men in Blue beat the BlackCaps. But taking on the Kiwis in their own conditions will be a different challenge altogether. India drubbed New Zealand 5-0 on their last tour of the country, but six long years have passed since.

Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma have redefined T20 batting, with India se...