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Napier will host the first match of the series

After the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) agreed on the dates of their series, it was announced that India would kick off their tour of New Zealand in January with an ODI in Napier.

Auckland and Wellington will each host an ODI, along with one Test match apiece.

Meanwhile, Hamilton will be the location for two ODIs as it missed out on hosting a Test.

NZC chief executive David White stated that he had chosen the four ODI venues based on the fact that all of them have floodlights.

White added that the locations were also selected due to the fact that the broadcasters had requested day-night matches to be played.

“We felt that with the Tests in Wellington and Auckland, that Hamilton was the best spot for a second one-dayer with a large Indian population on their doorstep,” White said.

The first Test in Eden Park will take place from February 6-10, while the second Test in the Basin Reserve will last from February 14-18.

Central Districts chief executive Hugh Henderson was ecstatic upon hearing the news that India’s tour of New Zealand would start in Napier.

“The Indian team are a huge drawcard throughout the world so the opportunity to host them on a Sunday in January will be fantastic for the region,” he said.