Christchurch weather forecast for New Zealand vs. India: Chances of rain, average temperature for NZ vs. IND 1st T20I

India begin their five-match T20I series against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday, October 22, in a rematch of the T20 World Cup final from March, a contest India won by 96 runs. The visitors arrive without Jasprit Bumrah, which leaves their pace attack looking a good deal thinner, while Hardik Pandya was out of contention well before selection as he continues to recover from a right shin injury.Their absence has opened the door for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who returns to the national side after nearly four years away.MAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABET AND GET UP TO 200% WELCOME BONUSNew Zealand have their own problems, having lost Rachin Ravindra to a dislocated shoulder and seen Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes ruled out through injury on October 9.There is better news elsewhere, with Michael Bracewell and Adam Milne both back from injury, and Finn Allen and Tim Seifert expected to open, the latter carrying 477 T20I runs against India and the bulk of the hitting responsibility.The weather has become a talking point of its own in Christchurch, where the evening is forecast to stay dry but the temperature is expected to fall sharply once the sun goes down. Add The Sporting News as a preferred news sourceChristchurch weather forecast for New Zealand vs. India 1st T20IThursday is forecast to be sunny and dry in Christchurch, with most outlooks putting the daytime high somewhere between 22°C and 27°C and the Met Office settling on 25°C.Sunset arrives at around 8.02pm, which means the match begins just as the light starts to go and the air begins to cool in a hurry.Temperatures are expected to sit between 15°C and 20°C at the 8pm start before dropping to 14°C or 15°C by 11pm, which averages out at roughly 17°C across the likely hours of play.The Met Office reckons it will feel like 17°C at 9pm and 15°C an hour later, so conditions will be distinctly chilly by the closing hours.The wind should be light early on at around 10 km/h, though it is forecast to pick up to between 14 and 16 km/h by 9pm and 10pm, with gusts touching 31 km/h. Humidity is expected to sit at about 45% through the day before climbing to around 70% in the evening.Hourly weather forecast for New Zealand vs. India, 1st T20IAll times NZDT6:00 PM: 24°C, rain chance under 5%7:00 PM (toss at 7:30 PM): 22°C, rain chance under 5%8:00 PM (start): 19°C, rain chance under 5%9:00 PM: 19°C, rain chance under 5%10:00 PM: 17°C, rain chance under 5%11:00 PM: 14°C, rain chance under 5%Chances of rain interrupting play in ChristchurchThe forecasts are in broad agreement that rain is unlikely to trouble anyone on Thursday, with the highest figure anywhere coming in at 6 per cent and several models showing no chance at all during the hours of play.An earlier outlook had suggested a wet end to the week, but the more recent forecasts have cleared that away.What happens if the New Zealand vs. India 1st T20I is stopped by rain?Should rain arrive despite the forecast, the match could either be delayed or shortened, with the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method used to set a revised target and a minimum of five overs per side required for a result.There is no reserve day in the schedule, so a complete washout would simply see the game abandoned.What time does the New Zealand vs. India 1st T20I start?The first T20I between New Zealand and India takes place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday, October 22, 2026, with play beginning at 8pm local time, which is 12.30pm IST. The toss will be held half an hour earlier at 7.30pm local time, or 12pm IST.How to watch New Zealand vs. India 1st T20I in India?Here's how to watch the New Zealand vs. India match in India:TV channel: Sony Sports NetworkLive stream: SonyLIVThe match will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network channels in India, and fans can also follow the action by streaming it on SonyLIV.DafabetBEST ODDS AND OFFERSCLICK TO BET