India Squad for New Zealand Series 2026 Announced: Full T20I, ODI and Test Teams

India Squad for New Zealand Series 2026 Announced:  India’s squad for the New Zealand series 2026 has been announced across all three international formats, with different captains and player combinations for the T20I, ODI and Test matches. The tour begins on 22 October and runs through 1 December 2026, giving India a busy international schedule in New Zealand.

Shreyas Iyer will lead India in the five-match T20I series. Shubman Gill will captain the first three ODIs before Shreyas Iyer takes over for the final two matches. Gill will also lead the Test side, which includes Jasprit Bumrah and a combination of established and emerging players.

The selection decisions raise several questions for Indian cricket fans. Which players have been selected in each format? Who will captain India? Which players have received new opportunities, and which selections remain subject to fitness clearance?

This guide covers the complete India squad for New Zealand series, including the T20I, ODI and Test teams, captaincy changes, important selection decisions and the players worth watching.

India Squad for New Zealand Series 2026: Overview

India’s selections are format-specific. A player included in the Test squad is not automatically part of the ODI or T20I squad, so fans should check the appropriate team list before each match.

India T20I Squad for New Zealand Series 2026

The five-match T20I series will open India’s tour. The squad combines aggressive batting options, wicketkeepers, all-rounders and specialist bowlers.

India’s announced T20I squad:

1. Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
2. Abhishek Sharma
3. Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
4. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
5. Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
6. Tilak Varma (Vice-Captain)
7. Axar Patel
8. Shivam Dube
9. Nitish Kumar Reddy
10. Naman Dhir
11. Prince Yadav
12. Mayank Yadav
13. Arshdeep Singh
14. Bhuvneshwar Kumar
15. Varun Chakaravarthy
16. Kuldeep Yadav

What stands out in India’s T20I selection?

Shreyas Iyer’s appointment as captain gives him an important leadership responsibility in the shortest format. Tilak Varma will serve as his deputy, while Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan provide wicketkeeping options.

Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi offer aggressive batting possibilities at the top of the order. Their final roles will depend on the playing XI and the team’s preferred batting combination.

India also have several bowling options. Arshdeep Singh and Bhuvneshwar Kumar provide seam-bowling experience, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav offer different spin variations. Axar Patel and Nitish Kumar Reddy provide additional flexibility.

The squad announcement does not guarantee a place in the starting XI for every player. Team selection will depend on conditions, fitness and the balance required for each match.

India ODI Squad for New Zealand Series 2026

The BCCI has announced separate squads for the first three ODIs and the final two matches. This is an important detail because the captaincy and several player selections change during the series.

India ODI Squad for the First Three Matches

Shubman Gill will captain India, with Shreyas Iyer serving as vice-captain.

Full squad:

1. Shubman Gill (Captain)
2. Rohit Sharma
3. Virat Kohli
4. Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain)
5. KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper)
6. Nitish Kumar Reddy
7. Axar Patel
8. Naman Dhir
9. Anshul Kamboj
10. Gurnoor Brar
11. Ruturaj Gaikwad
12. Arshdeep Singh
13. Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper)
14. Mohammed Siraj
15. Prasidh Krishna
16. Kuldeep Yadav

Fitness update: Prasidh Krishna’s selection is subject to fitness clearance.

The first three ODIs give Gill the opportunity to lead a side featuring experienced batters such as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, alongside players competing for places in India’s longer-term ODI plans.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir and Anshul Kamboj are among the players whose performances and opportunities will attract attention during the series.

India ODI Squad for the Fourth and Fifth Matches

Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the final two ODIs, while Ishan Kishan will serve as vice-captain.

Full squad:

1. Shreyas Iyer (Captain)
2. Rohit Sharma
3. Virat Kohli
4. Tilak Varma
5. Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper and Vice-Captain)
6. Nitish Kumar Reddy
7. Axar Patel
8. Naman Dhir
9. Auqib Nabi
10. Gurnoor Brar
11. Ruturaj Gaikwad
12. Arshdeep Singh
13. Kumar Kushagra (Wicketkeeper)
14. Mohammed Siraj
15. Yash Thakur
16. Kuldeep Yadav

Why are there two captains in the ODI series?

Gill will lead India in the first three matches, and Iyer will take charge for the final two. The separate squads also reflect changes in player availability and the transition towards the Test series later in November.

For supporters, the change creates an opportunity to compare leadership approaches across the five matches. However, the captaincy arrangement alone should not be treated as evidence of a permanent change in India’s leadership hierarchy.

New opportunities in the ODI squad

Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur have received maiden ODI call-ups for the final two matches. Auqib Nabi is also included in that group.

These selections give India additional options to assess during the tour. Whether any of them makes the playing XI will depend on the team’s requirements and the conditions at the venue.

The ODI series also has relevance beyond the immediate results, as India continue to evaluate combinations ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

India Test Squad for New Zealand Series 2026

The two-match Test series begins after the five-match ODI campaign. Shubman Gill will lead India, with KL Rahul as vice-captain.

India’s announced Test squad:

1. Shubman Gill (Captain)
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. KL Rahul (Vice-Captain)
4. Devdutt Padikkal
5. Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
6. Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Anshul Kamboj
9. Jasprit Bumrah
10. Prasidh Krishna
11. Akash Deep
12. Sai Sudharsan
13. Nitish Kumar Reddy
14. Washington Sundar
15. Kuldeep Yadav
16. Mohammed Siraj

Fitness update: Rishabh Pant’s selection is subject to fitness clearance. Prasidh Krishna’s availability is also subject to fitness clearance.

Jasprit Bumrah returns to the Test squad

Bumrah’s inclusion gives India an experienced fast-bowling option for New Zealand’s conditions. His ability to generate pace, control and movement makes him an important player to watch in the red-ball matches.

His actual workload and role will depend on fitness, match conditions and the team’s bowling strategy.

Rishabh Pant and the wicketkeeping options

Pant has been selected subject to fitness clearance, while Dhruv Jurel is also included in the squad. The final wicketkeeping combination will depend on Pant’s fitness and the team’s plans before each Test.

A varied bowling combination

India have selected Bumrah, Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Anshul Kamboj as pace options, alongside all-rounders and specialist spinners.

Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav provide different spin-bowling options. Their involvement will depend on pitch conditions and the balance India want between batting depth and bowling strength.

Who Is Missing from India’s New Zealand Squad?

Selection discussions are not complete without considering players who have not been named. However, omission from one format does not necessarily mean a player has been dropped from India’s overall plans.

Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami has not been included in the announced Test squad. His absence has attracted attention given his experience as an international fast bowler.

The selection announcement does not, by itself, establish a permanent decision about his future. Any assessment of his availability or prospects should distinguish confirmed squad information from speculation.

Ravindra Jadeja and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the ODI squad

Jadeja and Jaiswal are not included in the announced ODI squads for this tour, although both are named in the Test squad. Their inclusion in the red-ball team and absence from the ODI lists demonstrate why format-wise squad checks matter.

Harshit Rana

Harshit Rana is not included in the announced ODI and Test squads for the New Zealand tour. Fans should rely on confirmed squad updates rather than assume that an omission automatically signals a long-term selection decision.

India Squad for New Zealand Series: Key Players to Watch

Shubman Gill

Gill has leadership duties in the first three ODIs and throughout the Test series. His batting, tactical decisions and ability to manage the team in New Zealand will be important.

Shreyas Iyer

Iyer captains the T20I side and the final two ODIs. His performances in the middle order and decisions as captain will be among the main storylines of the tour.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit remains part of India’s ODI plans. His experience at the top of the order will be valuable against a bowling attack operating in familiar home conditions.

Virat Kohli

Kohli’s ODI experience and ability to construct an innings make him a key player. His approach against the new ball and during the middle overs will be worth following.

Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah’s selection for the Test series adds a proven pace option to India’s red-ball plans. His availability and workload will be important factors as the tour progresses.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Sooryavanshi is part of the T20I squad and represents one of India’s younger batting options. His inclusion gives the selectors an opportunity to assess his suitability for international T20 cricket in New Zealand.

India Tour of New Zealand 2026 Schedule

The tour includes 12 international matches across three formats.

The T20Is begin in Christchurch, the ODIs start in Auckland, and the Test series opens in Wellington.

India vs New Zealand: Players, Teams and Rivalry

India and New Zealand have a long international cricket history across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Their matches often involve contrasting strengths, with India’s batting depth and spin options facing New Zealand’s familiarity with home conditions.

Readers looking for broader player information can explore our India National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team players and squads guide.

For historical context, major encounters and the development of the rivalry, see the India vs New Zealand cricket timeline and records.

These pages complement the current squad guide by answering different questions: the current article covers selections for the 2026 tour, the players page covers the broader team lists, and the timeline page focuses on historical context.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Has India announced its squad for the New Zealand series 2026?

Yes. India’s T20I squad was announced on 6 October 2026, followed by the ODI and Test squad announcements on 16 October 2026.

2. Who is India’s T20I captain for the New Zealand series?

Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the five-match T20I series, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain.

3. Who will captain India in the ODI series?

Shubman Gill will captain India in the first three ODIs. Shreyas Iyer will lead the team in the fourth and fifth matches, with Ishan Kishan as vice-captain.

4. Who is India’s Test captain for the New Zealand tour?

Shubman Gill will captain India in the two-match Test series, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain.

5. Is Jasprit Bumrah part of India’s New Zealand squad?

Yes. Bumrah is included in the announced Test squad for the New Zealand tour.

6. Is Rishabh Pant available for the Test series?

Pant has been selected in the Test squad subject to fitness clearance. His final availability should be confirmed through an official update.

7. Which players have received maiden ODI call-ups?

Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur have received maiden ODI call-ups for the fourth and fifth matches of the series.

8. When does the India vs New Zealand series start?

The tour begins with the first T20I on 22 October 2026 in Christchurch.

9. Where can I find the complete India tour schedule?

Visit the India Tour of New Zealand 2026 schedule page on TeamStats.in for the full fixtures and venue guide.

Final Takeaway

The India squad for New Zealand series 2026 reflects three different selection priorities. The T20I team combines aggressive batting with flexible bowling options, the ODI squads provide opportunities to assess combinations ahead of the 2027 World Cup, and the Test team includes experienced players suited to the demands of red-ball cricket.

The most significant details are the change in ODI captaincy after the first three matches, Bumrah’s inclusion in the Test squad, and the fitness conditions attached to Pant and Prasidh Krishna.

Squads and availability can change before a match. This article should be updated when the BCCI confirms any changes, and individual match previews should cover the final playing XI, toss and conditions rather than repeat the entire squad list.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rajani Kant

Cricket Writer & Editor at TeamStats.in

Rajani Kant is a cricket writer and editor at TeamStats.in, covering cricket statistics, team records, player performances, match results and important developments from international cricket. His focus is on presenting cricket information in a clear, useful and easy-to-understand format.

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