The BCCI has announced the squads for India’s upcoming New Zealand tour, with the senior team set to play five T20Is and India A scheduled to face New Zealand A in three multi-day matches. India and India A squads for New Zealand tour announced by the board include a mix of established international players and younger names looking to make their mark.
Shreyas Iyer will captain the India T20I side, with Tilak Varma named vice-captain. Dhruv Jurel will lead India A, which includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar.
The biggest surprise from the senior squad is the return of Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The experienced fast bowler is back in India’s T20I setup after his last international appearance in November 2022. The BCCI has said that India’s ODI and Test squads for the New Zealand tour will be announced separately.
India T20I Squad for New Zealand
India’s 16-member T20I squad has a strong mix of batting options, all-rounders and specialist bowlers. Shreyas Iyer will captain the side, with Tilak Varma as his deputy.
Player | Role |
Shreyas Iyer (C) | Batter |
| Abhishek Sharma | Batter |
Sanju Samson | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Batter |
Ishan Kishan | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
Tilak Varma (VC) | Batter |
| Axar Patel | All-rounder |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
Nitish Kumar Reddy | All-rounder |
| Naman Dhir | All-rounder |
Prince Yadav | Bowler |
| Mayank Yadav | Fast Bowler |
Arshdeep Singh | Fast Bowler |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Fast Bowler |
| Varun Chakaravarthy | Spinner |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Spinner |
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns to India’s T20I Squad After Four Years
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recall is the standout selection decision from the New Zealand tour announcement. The 36-year-old last played for India in a T20I against New Zealand at Napier on November 22, 2022. His return comes after a gap of almost four years.
His selection also follows a productive IPL 2026 season, during which he took 28 wickets in 16 matches, according to reports following the squad announcement.
Bhuvneshwar brings considerable experience to an otherwise varied pace attack. His ability to move the ball with the new ball could be useful in New Zealand, where seam-friendly conditions can play a role. It is also worth clearing up one point that may cause confusion: Bhuvneshwar Kumar is not part of India A. He has been selected for the senior T20I squad and will be available for the five-match series.
Shreyas Iyer to Lead India in Five T20Is
Shreyas Iyer will captain India’s T20I side for the New Zealand assignment, with Tilak Varma serving as vice-captain. Iyer will have several familiar T20 players around him, including Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh. The squad also contains younger players such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav.
The captaincy role will be particularly interesting during an overseas series because India have a combination of established players and less experienced options in the 16-member group.
India A Squads for New Zealand Tour Announced
The BCCI has also selected a 15-member India A squad for three multi-day matches against New Zealand A. Dhruv Jurel will captain the side.
Player | Role |
Dhruv Jurel (C) | Batter |
| KL Rahul | Batter |
| Devdutt Padikkal | Batter |
Ravichandran Smaran | Batter |
| Rishabh Pant | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
Yashasvi Jaiswal (VC) | Batter |
| Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
Auqib Nabi | All-rounder |
| Akash Deep | Fast Bowler |
Anshul Kamboj | Bowler |
| Manav Suthar | Spinner |
Mukesh Choudhary | Fast Bowler |
| Sai Sudarsan | Batter |
Yash Rathod | Batter |
| Mukesh Kumar | Fast Bowler |
Rishabh Pant’s India A Selection Subject to Fitness
Rishabh Pant has been named in the India A squad, but there is an important condition attached to his selection. The BCCI has listed Pant as subject to fitness. That means his place in the squad is confirmed in the announcement, but his participation in the matches will depend on his fitness status. If available, Pant would give India A another experienced option behind the stumps and in the middle order. He will be part of a wicketkeeping group that also includes captain Dhruv Jurel.
India vs New Zealand T20I Schedule 2026
The five-match T20I series begins in Christchurch on October 22, 2026. The teams will remain in Christchurch for the second match before travelling to Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton.
Match | Date | Day | Venue |
1st T20I | October 22, 2026 | Thu | Christchurch |
| 2nd T20I | October 24, 2026 | Sat | Christchurch |
3rd T20I | October 27, 2026 | Tue | Wellington |
| 4th T20I | October 30, 2026 | Fri | Auckland |
5th T20I | November 1, 2026 | Sun | Hamilton |
The opening match will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The fifth and final T20I is scheduled for Seddon Park in Hamilton on November 1. For Indian fans searching for the India and India A squads for New Zealand tour announced, these five fixtures form the first part of the wider multi-format tour.
India A vs New Zealand A Schedule
India A will play three multi-day matches against New Zealand A.
Match | Dates | Venue |
| 1st Multi-Day Match | October 24–27, 2026 | Lincoln |
2nd Multi-Day Match | October 31–November 3, 2026 | Christchurch |
| 3rd Multi-Day Match | November 7–10, 2026 | Lincoln |
The first and third matches will be held in Lincoln, while Christchurch will host the second game. The BCCI’s announcement lists the three fixtures as four-day matches. These games will be particularly relevant for players preparing for first-class and Test cricket. Unlike T20 cricket, the longer format allows batters and bowlers more time to settle into conditions and build an innings or spell.
Why the India A Tour Is Important
An India A tour often serves as a bridge between domestic cricket and the senior international side. It gives players a chance to perform in overseas conditions while also allowing selectors to assess how they respond to a different style of cricket.
New Zealand presents a useful test for Indian batters. Movement through the air and off the pitch can make the early part of an innings challenging, while bowlers can benefit from conditions that encourage disciplined seam bowling.
For the younger members of this squad, playing alongside established internationals such as Rahul and Jaiswal can also be valuable. But the performances will ultimately matter most. A strong series can strengthen a player’s case when future India selections are discussed.
India ODI and Test Squads Yet to Be Announced
The current announcement does not cover India’s senior ODI and Test teams. The BCCI has confirmed that those squads will be announced later. This means the final picture of India’s multi-format New Zealand tour is still incomplete.
The larger tour is scheduled to include five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests. The ODI and Test selections will therefore be closely watched, particularly because several players in the India A squad have experience in the longer format.
Key Players to Watch on the New Zealand Tour
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the obvious player to watch in the T20I squad. His return after nearly four years gives India an experienced fast-bowling option and adds another storyline to the series.
Shreyas Iyer
Iyer will have two responsibilities: leading the side and contributing with the bat. His performance could have a significant bearing on India’s middle-order plans during the five T20Is.
Dhruv Jurel
Jurel’s captaincy will be one of the interesting aspects of the India A assignment. He will need to manage a squad that includes both established internationals and developing players.
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jaiswal is one of India’s leading young red-ball batters. His performance in New Zealand will be worth following, particularly given the different demands of overseas Test-style conditions.
KL Rahul
Rahul brings considerable experience to India A. His ability to bat in different positions and his familiarity with overseas cricket make him one of the senior figures in the group.
Rishabh Pant
Pant’s participation depends on fitness, but his inclusion makes him one of the biggest names in the India A squad. If he plays, his experience could be especially useful in the longer format.
Conclusion
The India and India A squads for New Zealand tour announced by the BCCI give fans two separate teams to follow as the multi-format assignment gets underway. Shreyas Iyer will lead the T20I side, while Dhruv Jurel will captain India A in three multi-day matches.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return is the biggest talking point from the senior squad, while the India A group stands out for its combination of experienced players such as KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant with emerging domestic talent.
The T20I series begins on October 22 in Christchurch, while India A’s first four-day match starts in Lincoln shortly afterwards. With the ODI and Test squads still to be named, there is more selection news to come before India’s full New Zealand tour takes shape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is India’s T20I captain for the New Zealand tour?
Shreyas Iyer will captain India in the five-match T20I series, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain.
Who is the India A captain for the New Zealand tour?
Dhruv Jurel will lead India A in the three multi-day matches against New Zealand A.
Is Bhuvneshwar Kumar in India’s T20I squad?
Yes. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been included in India’s T20I squad after last playing for the national team in November 2022.
Is Rishabh Pant part of the India A squad?
Yes. Rishabh Pant has been selected for India A, but his participation is subject to fitness.
Have India’s ODI and Test squads been announced?
No. The BCCI has announced the T20I and India A squads so far. The senior ODI and Test squads will be announced separately.
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