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India names Test and ODI squads for New Zealand; Bumrah returns
India announced Test and ODI squads for the New Zealand tour, with Shubman Gill captaining the Test team and the first three ODIs, while Shreyas Iyer leads the final two ODIs. Jasprit Bumrah returns to the Test squad after missing the Sri Lanka series, joining pace bowlers Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Anshul Kamboj. Rishabh Pant is included pending fitness clearance following a side strain.
Quick Facts
- India announced Test and ODI squads for New Zealand tour
- Shubman Gill named captain for Test series and first three ODIs
- Shreyas Iyer named captain for final two ODIs
- Jasprit Bumrah recalled to Test squad
- Anshul Kamboj recalled after 2025 England tour
India's selection committee announced Test and ODI squads for the upcoming New Zealand tour on October 16, 2026, featuring distinct leadership and squad structures across formats to manage player workload.
Shubman Gill will captain India in the Test series and the first three ODIs, with KL Rahul as vice-captain across both formats. Shreyas Iyer takes over as captain for the final two ODIs, with Ishan Kishan as vice-captain in that leg. The split ODI squads reflect the tight schedule: only three days separate the final ODI (November 15) from the first Test (November 19 in Wellington), necessitating different preparations for each format.
Jasprit Bumrah's inclusion in the Test squad marks a significant return after missing the recent series against Sri Lanka. The pace spearhead last played Test cricket during South Africa's tour in late 2025. Bumrah will lead India's bowling attack alongside Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Anshul Kamboj—recalled after the 2025 England tour—and Akash Deep, who returns from a lower-back injury. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar provide all-rounder options, while Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja complete the spin contingent. The ICC noted that Bumrah's return is timely given India's fifth-place position in the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27 standings.
Rishabh Pant's inclusion in the Test squad is conditional on fitness clearance following a side strain sustained during the domestic Irani Trophy. Dhruv Jurel serves as backup wicketkeeper. The batting lineup features Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul alongside Devdutt Padikkal, who impressed with two centuries at number three during the Sri Lanka tour. Sai Sudharsan returns after missing that series with a toe injury.
The ODI squad structure differs markedly. The first three matches include Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and pace bowling options, with Axar Patel retained and Anshul Kamboj included. The final two ODIs feature Tilak Varma, Auqib Nabi, Kumar Kushagra, and Yash Thakur, replacing Test specialists to allow preparation time for the longer format. Prasidh Krishna's selection across formats is subject to fitness clearance.
The tour schedule begins with five T20 Internationals starting October 22, followed by ODIs from November 4–15 (Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, and Mount Maunganui) and Tests on November 19–23 in Wellington and November 27–December 1 in Christchurch.
Topics
Why This Matters
India's squad selections directly affect player availability across cricket formats during a compressed tour schedule (five T20Is from October 22, ODIs November 4–15, Tests November 19–December 1). The split ODI captaincy and conditional inclusions (Bumrah's return, Pant's fitness clearance, Prasidh Krishna's fitness status) will determine India's bowling depth and batting stability in each format. India currently ranks fifth in the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27 standings, making Test squad composition strategically significant. Fixture congestion—only three days between the final ODI and first Test—requires different player rotations, affecting squad balance and workload management.
Timeline & Sources
Oct 16, 2026
WireBCCI announces Test and ODI squads for New Zealand tour
Oct 22, 2026
WireT20 International series against New Zealand begins
Nov 19, 2026
WireFirst Test begins in Wellington
Nov 27, 2026
WireSecond Test begins in Christchurch
Related Signals
Sources
- Bumrah returns as Kamboj, Akash Deep recalled for New Zealand TestsCricbuzzMediaOct 16, 2026
- India Test and ODI squads for New Zealand tour announced: Who is in, who is out?The Times of IndiaMediaOct 16, 2026
- Star pacer returns in India Test squad for New ZealandICCMediaOct 16, 2026
- NZ vs IND: కివీస్తో వన్డేలు, టెస్ట్లు.. భారత జట్లు ఇవే..EenaduMediaOct 16, 2026
- కివీస్తో పోరుకు సై.. భారత వన్డే, టెస్టు జట్లు ఇవే!AP7AMMediaOct 16, 2026