The Cricketer runs down the who, what, where, when, why, which channel and how wet will be ahead of the series getting underway
The multi-format series between New Zealand and India kicks off with five T20 internationals as preparations for the World Cup in October and November continue to build.
FIRST T20: Eden Park, Auckland (Friday, January 24, 7:50pm local time, 6:50am GMT)
SECOND T20: Eden Park, Auckland (Sunday, January 26, 7:50pm local time, 6:50am GMT)
THIRD T20: Seddon Park, Hamilton (Wednesday, January 29, 8pm local time, 7am GMT)
FOURTH T20: Sky Stadium, Wellington (Friday, January 31, 8pm local time, 7am GMT)
FIFTH T20: Bay Oval, Tauranga (Sunday, February 2, 8pm local time, 7am GMT)
We might only be approaching the end of the third week of January but already India are preparing to face their third different opponent of the year.
They have already seen off Sri Lanka in a one-sided T20 series before coming from behind to defeat Australia in three curiously timed one-day internationals.
The 2-1 series win helped avenge the loss to Aaron Finch's men 11 months previous, but away from home it could be an altogether more formidable challenge.
Beating India on their own patch in any format is among the toughest prospects in international sport.
Shikhar Dhawan is missing for India
But away from familiar surroundings and on pitches where the ball should do a little, they are more than vulnerable.
With a T20 World Cup to come on similar, though not identical, tracks in Australia in October and November, this series will represent a good barometer as to where they stand.
These are the last major 20-over matches many of India's players will feature in before the Indian Premier League, which is likely to shape the formation of their squad for the showcase tournament later in the year.
Shikhar Dhawan is out of the series with a shoulder problem suffered during the third ODI against Australia.
Sanju Samson had initially been left out of the group, following the recall of Rohit Sharma, but he is now included in Dhawan's absence.
Mohammed Shami is also back in the picture after being rested for that aforementioned T20 series against Sri Lanka.
Jasprit Bumrah has come through his comeback unscathed and is joined by Shardul Thakur. KL Rahul remains the back-up wicket-keeper but Rishabh Pant is expected to be fully available.
India squad: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Navdeep Saini, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur
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The Kiwis will be delighted to see the white ball again after a harrowing winter in Australia.
They were torn apart by their local rivals in the Test series and they will be eager to bounce back in their favourite format.
They took England to a super over in the decider in their T20 series before the turn of the year and are a match for anyone, particularly on their own patch.
Personnel wise, Hamish Bennett has been plucked from relative obscurity and could be set for his first New Zealand outing since 2017.
Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson are missing as they continue to recover from injury. Matt Henry and Tom Latham are also among a lengthy list of sidelined players.
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Colin de Grandhomme is available for the first three T20s and will be replaced by Tom Bruce for the rest of the series.
Bruce will captain the New Zealand A side alongside Jimmy Neesham, who also misses out but remains in contention for a World Cup place.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson, Hamish Bennett, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.
Hamish Bennett is back in the international fold
For the first two T20s in Auckland, the weather is set fair with warm conditions expected for the evening start-time.
Similar conditions are anticipated for the games in Hamilton, Wellington and Tauranga, which should ensure a full and uninterrupted series is possible.
The Star Sports network will show the entire series in India, as well as subscription outlet Hotstar.
In New Zealand, Sky Sport will be broadcasting all five matches.
For viewers in the UK, Sky Sports Cricket (red button) and Sky Sports Mix will be showing the matches.
Dafabet have New Zealand at 11/8 to win the opening T20, with India the marginal favourites to take a series lead at 4/7.
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