Published on: Nov 4, 2025 12:49 pm IST | Updated on: Nov 14, 2025 1:21 pm IST
After clean-sweeping Bangladesh in their own backyard, West Indies are up for an all-format tour of New Zealand. The men from Caribbean will be up against the Blackcaps in a 5-match T20I series, followed by a 3-match ODI and Test series. First up are the T20Is, with the opening game set to be played at Eden Park in Auckland. Both teams would be eyeing an early win to set the tone for the series. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 1st T20I Match NZ vs WI at Eden Park in Auckland.
New Zealand and the West Indies are two formidable teams, but when it comes to hard-hitting, New Zealand is no match for the threat the West Indies batters possess. New Zealand’s recent form in T20Is hasn’t been great, as they haven’t won a single game out of the last 5. West Indies, on the other hand, are high on spirits and confidence after securing a clean sweep over Bangladesh in an unfamiliar territory. Therefore, the winning probability should lean in favor of the men from the Caribbean. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 1st T20I Match NZ vs WI at Eden Park in Auckland.
WI: 56% win chance NZ: 44% win chance
The New Zealand opener, in the absence of Tim Seifert, will shoulder added responsibility. In his last 7 T20Is, Rachin has managed 161 runs and will be keen to add more runs in his kitty.
Robinson scored a ton against Australia in the recent home series. The right hander will be eager to contribute in this series as well.
The West Indies skipper had a terrifice time in the Bangladesh series. He has been in scintillating touch oflate in T20Is and will look to continue his rich vein form.
Akeal Hosein, the West Indies' new-ball specialist spinner, has claimed 15 wickets in his last 10 outings. Expect him to be at his best in this game with the new ball.
Check out our prediction for the WI vs NZ 1st T20I match at the Eden Park in Auckland.
New Zealand’s T20I form at home has hit a worrying slump. The Blackcaps have endured a rough patch at home, losing three of their last six T20Is, while the other three yielded no results. This stretch includes consecutive series defeats against Australia and England. Once considered a fortress, venues like Eden Park have offered little comfort to a side struggling for rhythm and consistency. Batting collapses, lack of death-over control, and injuries to key players have compounded their woes. As they prepare to host West Indies in a five-match T20I series starting November 5 in Auckland, the pressure to bounce back is immense.
New Zealand will look to their experienced core, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and skipper Mitchell Santner, to lead the turnaround, while younger players like Mark Chapman and Tim Robinson could inject fresh energy. Eden Park’s short boundaries and batting-friendly surface may aid their cause, but execution will be key. Breaking the shackles requires more than just home advantage; it demands clarity, intent, and composure under pressure.
West Indies arrive in New Zealand brimming with confidence after a dominant 3-0 T20I series whitewash over Bangladesh in Dhaka. The Caribbean side showcased a perfect blend of power-hitting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding throughout that tour, reaffirming their credentials as a rising force in the format. Led by Shai Hope, the team has embraced a fearless brand of cricket, with batters like Rovman Powell, Brandon King, and Romario Shepherd consistently delivering explosive starts and match-winning knocks.
Their bowling unit, spearheaded by Jason Holder and ably supported by Akeal Hosein and Romario Shepherd, has found rhythm and control, especially in the death overs. The emergence of young talents like Alick Athanaze and Sherfane Rutherford adds depth and versatility to the squad. As they gear up for a five-match T20I series against a struggling New Zealand side, West Indies will look to extend their winning streak and build momentum heading into the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
With Eden Park’s short boundaries and batting-friendly conditions, the visitors have a golden opportunity to assert dominance early in the series. If they maintain their aggressive intent and tactical discipline, West Indies could well continue their rich vein of form and make a strong statement away from home. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 20 WI won: 7 NZ won: 11 No Result: 2 RECENT form NEW ZEALAND: NR L NR L NR RECENT form WEST INDIES: L W W W W
West Indies and New Zealand have had 20 meetings in T20Is. West Indies has 7 wins to their name, whereas New Zealand leads the way with 11 wins. Two matches between these sides ended without a result.
How will the two teams, i.e., New Zealand vs West Indies, fare in the first T20I in Auckland? Let’s take a look.
Alick Athanaze, Brandon King, Shai Hope (C), Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 1st T20I between New Zealand vs West Indies at Eden Park, Auckland:
New Zealand might opt to bowl first if they win the toss, leveraging Eden Park’s early seam movement and short boundaries for a chase-friendly setup. West Indies, however, may prefer batting first to set a target with their power hitters. Toss could influence strategy but not necessarily the outcome.
The online live streaming of the 1st T20I match of the West Indies Tour of New Zealand will take place live on the SonyLiv App and Amazon Prime App. TV viewers can watch this series live on Sony Sports Channels.
Going by the current form of the two sides, West Indies definitely have the upper hand. New Zealand, in recent times at home, has been awful in this format. This gives West Indies an edge heading into this fixture. Although many sportsbooks are backing New Zealand to win this game, we are backing West Indies. Therefore, as per our prediction, the visitors, West Indies, is expected to win the NZ vs WI 1st T20I match and go 1-0 up in this series.