CAN vs NZ Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI, Pitch Report & Fantasy Winning Team | T20 World Cup 2026

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup action shifts to Chennai as New Zealand prepares to face Canada.They are heavy favorites at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. However, Canada has shown glimpses of fight through Navneet Dhaliwal, and on a surface that aids slower bowlers, they will look to challenge the Kiwis. Here is everything you need to know to create your best fantasy teams for major leagues.

Match Details

• Match: Canada vs New Zealand
• Date: 17 Feb 2026
• Time: 11:00 IST
• Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Live Streaming & Broadcast Details

Fans can check the country wise official live streaming and TV broadcast details for this match. To know where you can watch live streaming in your country, visit this complete guide: ICC Men’s World Cup 2026 Live Streaming Channels – Country wise Guide

Weather Report

The weather in Chennai is expected to be warm and humid. Temperatures will hover around 30°C to 32°C with high humidity levels. There is negligible chance of rain, so we expect a full game. The Dew factor might come into play during the second innings, potentially making chasing slightly easier as the ball skids on.

Pitch Report & Venue Stats

The pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is traditionally known to assist spinners, but recent stats suggest a balanced contest. In the last 5 matches, the Avg Runs is 160, indicating it is not a complete dustbowl. Interestingly, pacers have taken 30 wickets compared to 26 wickets by spinners recently.

Fantasy Takeaway: While spinners are crucial at Chepauk, do not ignore death over pacers who use variations. A score of 170+ is highly competitive here.

Team Form & Head to-Head

Canada

• Last 5 Matches: L L L L W
• Form: Struggling for consistency, having lost their last four games. Their batting has been fragile against top tier bowling.
• H2H: 0 Wins against New Zealand.

New Zealand

• Last 5 Matches: W W W L W
• Form: In excellent touch, winning three on the trot. Their batting lineup is firing, and the bowlers are executing plans well.
• H2H: 0 Wins (No recent T20 history vs Canada).

Injury Updates & Player Availability

• New Zealand: The squad looks fully fit. Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are locked in as the openers.
• Canada: No major injury concerns reported. Navneet Dhaliwal remains their key batter.

Probable Playing XI

Canada

Yuvraj Samra, Dilpreet Bajwa, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva, Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, Jaskaran Singh, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel

New Zealand

Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy

Key Players to Watch

• Tim Seifert: He is currently unstoppable. With 154 runs in the series and a massive 160 average fantasy points, he is the top captaincy candidate for this T20 match.
• Finn Allen: An aggressive opener who can exploit the powerplay. He has scored 85 runs in the series and strikes at a high rate.
• Navneet Dhaliwal: The backbone of the Canadian batting. He has scored 98 runs in the series and is essential for stabilizing the innings.
• Harsh Thaker: A valuable all rounder for Canada. With 83 runs and off break bowling skills, he suits the Chennai conditions perfectly.
• Lockie Ferguson: His raw pace has earned him 3 wickets in the series. He is a genuine wicket taker in the death overs.
• Glenn Phillips: A dynamic player who contributes with bat and ball. He has 42 runs and 1 wicket, making him a great utility pick.

Fantasy Picks

Small League Safe Picks

• Tim Seifert
• Finn Allen
• Mitchell Santner

Mega League Differential Picks

• Ansh Patel: As a leg spinner (LWS), he could be lethal on the Chennai track. He has picked up 3 wickets in the series so far.
• Saad Bin Zafar: The veteran spinner has also taken 3 wickets and can contribute handy runs down the order.

Match Prediction / Outlook

Given the current form and squad depth, New Zealand is the clear favorite to win. Their batters are scoring heavily, and their bowlers have the experience to exploit the MA Chidambaram Stadium conditions. Canada will need a miracle from their spinners to cause an upset.

Disclaimer

This analysis is based on current stats and expert understanding. Always check Final Playing XI and Toss updates before locking your fantasy team.