To win, New Zealand needs wickets at regular intervals, given India’s batting from top to lower middle can post big scores

India’s 2026 cricket season is scheduled to go live on January 11 when the Men in Blue take on New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, followed by a five-match T20I series. Given that both teams have their own strengths and weaknesses, it is impossible to predict which team will emerge as the series winner.

Therefore, we turned to AI and asked not only to predict the winner but also to predict important details such as who will be the top scorer and top wicket.  

Here’s what AI predicted.

Top scorers

The AI started by predicting the top scorers from both sides. According to ChatGPT, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli will lead the game in terms of scoring runs for India. Gill could score in the 80s, whereas Kohli could play the classic anchor role, hitting around 70. Another major contribution is likely to arrive from Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul with runs in the 50s and 40s, respectively.

(Credit- The Indian Express)

From New Zealand’s dugout, the AI predicted Henry Nicholls to be the top scorer, likely to score in the 70s. Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips could hit runs in the 50s.

Top wicket takers

Moving on to the top wicket takers in the first game, the AI predicted Mohammed Siraj to lead the wicket tally with three wickets by giving away around 40 runs. The other Indian bowler who is expected to rise to the occasion is Kuldeep Yadav, with two wickets at the expense of nearly 50 runs.

(Credit- ESPNcricinfo)

From the New Zealand outfit, ChatGPT predicted Kyle Jamieson to be their top wicket-taker with three wickets while giving away close to 60 runs. The second most wickets are expected to be scalped by Kristian Clarke with two wickets in his tally while conceding close to 50 runs.

Winner

(Credit- Financial Express)

The AI took into consideration India’s depth in batting that allows the Men in Blue to score throughout the 50 overs, ranging from the top to the lower middle order. ChatGPT also mentioned, “If India manages to win the toss, they are likely to control the game through their batting, posting a competitive total or chasing calmly with experience in the middle order. New Zealand will need early breakthroughs and a standout bowling performance to tilt the balance in their favour. Overall, India is predicted to win, but expect a tightly fought match rather than a one-sided affair.”

Concluding the prediction, the AI gave India a victory by 15 runs over New Zealand in the first game of the series.