Rinku Singh, Ishan Kishan return as India announce squad for New Zealand T20Is

The India vs New Zealand series will be played from 21st to 31st January ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

On Saturday, December 20, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the Indian squad for the T20I series against New Zealand. The five-match T20I series between the teams will be played from 21st to 31st January across five venues at home.

The T20I series against New Zealand will be crucial for India as it will be their last series before the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the team, with Axar Patel being his deputy, and this team is the same as the one that will feature in the mega event.

Shubman Gill, who has been under massive pressure for his poor outings in T20Is, has been dropped from the team. For the opening slot, Abhishek Sharma will be there along with Sanju Samson, who will be the keeper as well.

Tilak Varma will be the specialist batter in the middle-order in the Indian squad, which also features all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. The two are expected to play a vital role for India in the series against New Zealand as well as the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Ishan Kishan is the backup wicketkeeper in the team and is making a comeback. Rinku Singh has now cemented his place in the team after being left out of the previous T20 World Cup squad.

India have opted for a spin-heavy attack which features two spin-bowling all-rounders in vice-captain Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav will be the two specialist spinners in the squad for the New Zealand series.

Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Harshit Rana are the three fast bowlers in the Indian side for the New Zealand series. Both Bumrah and Arshdeep are expected to be in the XI, with Rana being the backup. 

India squad for the New Zealand series 

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana.

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