India A to tour New Zealand for three red ball matches ahead of senior men's Test series

India A will tour New Zealand to play three four-day games against the nation’s A team, ahead of the two-match Test series between the senior men’s side. The matches will take place simultaneously with the white-ball series between the senior men’s side, which comprises five T20Is and as many ODIs.  

The first 'A' match will be played from October 24 to 27 in Lincoln, the second from October 31 to November 3 in Christchurch, and the third from November 7 to 10 in Lincoln.

The ‘A’ series will also overlap with the domestic season in both countries. For India, it will clash with their premier domestic red-ball tournament, the Ranji Trophy, which begins on October 11. As a result, players selected for the New Zealand tour would be unavailable for their respective domestic teams.

For New Zealand, it will take place alongside the Ford Trophy, the country’s one-day competition, which runs from October 28 to November 12, before making way for the first-class Plunket Shield, which begins on November 19.

New Zealand vs India Test series begins on November 19

The series will serve as a crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the senior men’s Test series, beginning on November 19 in Wellington. On the other hand, the second Test will start on November 27 in Christchurch.

New Zealand are currently third in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table for the 2025-27 standings. They’re in a much stronger position than India and have a challenging schedule ahead. They will tour Australia in December-January, before hosting Sri Lanka and travelling to Pakistan later in the cycle.

India, meanwhile, sit fifth in the table and will also face the current table toppers, Australia. Their five-match Test series, scheduled to be played at home in January-February, will be their last assignment in the ongoing cycle.