NZ vs WI 1st T20I Match Preview & Prediction – West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025
NZ vs WI 1st T20I Preview & Prediction: The first T20I match of the West Indies tour of New Zealand 2025 will be played between New Zealand and the West Indies at Eden Park in Auckland on November 5, 2025, at 11:45 AM IST.
New Zealand will enter the series with a mixed record in recent T20Is, while the West Indies will be in strong form after a resounding series win against Bangladesh. Both teams will be looking to start the series with a win and take an early lead.
In this article, we take a look at the NZ vs WI 1st T20I Match Preview, Pitch Report, Prediction & Stats.
Match Details – NZ vs WI 1st T20I
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | New Zealand vs West Indies, 1st T20I |
| Date | Wednesday, 5th November 2025 |
| Time | 11:45 AM IST |
| Venue | Eden Park, Auckland |
| Live Streaming | Disney+ Hotstar / Star Sports |
| Format | T20 |
NZ vs WI Team Preview & Analysis
New Zealand
New Zealand will enter this match after consecutive defeats to Australia and England, but they are still a strong team at home. Tim Seifert has scored over 550 runs this year, averaging over 50. The support of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra will be crucial in the top order.
Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman strengthen the middle order, while Michael Bracewell provides strength with his all-round utility. In the absence of Matt Henry, the pace bowling has fallen to Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy. Captain Mitchell Santner will control the middle overs with spin bowling.
Top Performers (Recent Form)
| Player | Format Role | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Seifert | Batter | 559 runs in 14 innings (Avg 50+, SR 165) |
| Mitchell Santner | Bowler/All-rounder | Economical spells & leadership in middle overs |
Predicted XI (New Zealand):
Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner (c), Jacob Duffy, Rachin Ravindra
West Indies
The West Indies are brimming with confidence after their 3-0 win over Bangladesh. Captain Shai Hope is in excellent form, scoring 101 runs in three innings. Alick Athanasios, Rovman Powell, and Sherfane Rutherford have bolstered the attacking batting line-up.
On the bowling front, Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd took seven wickets each in the last series and will once again play key roles. Akeal Hossain and Roston Chase are keeping the spin bowlers in check. New fast bowler Jayden Seales is bowling sharply with the new ball.
Top Performers (Recent Form)
| Player | Format Role | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Shai Hope | Batter (c & wk) | 101 runs vs Bangladesh (SR 158) |
| Romario Shepherd | All-rounder | 7 wickets in last 3 T20Is |
Predicted XI (West Indies):
Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales
Pitch Report – Eden Park, Auckland
The Eden Park pitch is known for its straight boundaries and excellent bounce, making it a batsman’s paradise. Fast bowlers may get some seam movement initially, but they will need to adjust quickly. Spinners who vary their pace and length can be successful in the middle overs.
- Average first innings score: 170+
- Highest score: Australia vs. New Zealand 245/5
- Ideal winning score: 180-200
Toss prediction: Win the toss – bowl first (advantage for the chasing team)
Read Also: New Zealand vs West Indies head-to-head record & Stats
Weather Forecast – Melbourne
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 14–21°C |
| Rain Chances | 0% (no interruption expected) |
| Humidity | Around 45–55% |
| Wind | Gentle breeze from SSE |
Clear skies and perfect weather conditions are expected for a full 20-over match.
NZ vs WI 1st T20I Win Prediction
| Team | Winning Probability | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 55% | Home advantage & strong batting depth |
| West Indies | 45% | Powerful hitters & recent form |
Prediction: New Zealand to win the 1st T20I at Auckland, but expect a close contest if West Indies batters fire early.