The BCCI announced a 16-member squad on October 16, 2026, for the two-Test series in New Zealand, bringing back Jasprit Bumrah, Anshul Kamboj and Akash Deep while naming Rishabh Pant subject to a fitness clearance following a side strain he sustained in the Irani Cup.
Bumrah’s return is the most significant selection call in this squad. The pace spearhead has not appeared in a single Test throughout 2026, with his last appearance coming during India’s tour of South Africa in late 2025. Auqib Nabi, the Jammu and Kashmir seamer who stepped in for the Sri Lanka Tests in Bumrah’s absence, has not been retained for this assignment.
Shubman Gill continues as captain with KL Rahul as vice-captain. The first Test runs from November 19 to 23 at Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington, four days after the fifth and final ODI at Mount Maunganui on November 15. The second Test follows at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1 2026. For the final two ODIs of the tour, the BCCI has named a separate squad, with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav the only players common to both groups.
What is the fitness situation around Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar?
Pant’s place in the squad carries a condition. The wicketkeeper-batter picked up a side strain during the Irani Cup and will need clearance from the BCCI medical team before he can take part in the series. Dhruv Jurel has been named as the second wicketkeeper and is in line to start if Pant does not pass fit in time.
Washington Sundar is also back in the Test setup after sitting out both matches in Sri Lanka with a hamstring injury. His inclusion alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav hands India three specialist spin options as they prepare for conditions in New Zealand.
Which players are returning after time away from the Test side?
Akash Deep’s most recent Test appearance came on India’s 2025 England tour. He subsequently sustained a lower-back injury that kept him out of action from the IPL onwards, and his selection here indicates the BCCI medical staff are satisfied with his recovery. Kamboj also played his only Test to date on that England tour before being left out, making this squad his first return to the format since then.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, whose last Test outing was against South Africa in 2025, is back in the group. Sai Sudharsan, who was absent from the Sri Lanka tour after sustaining a toe injury, has also been included. Devdutt Padikkal, who struck two centuries batting at number three during the Sri Lanka series, keeps his place in the squad.
India full squad for New Zealand Tests 2026
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (WK)* [subject to fitness clearance], Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
