India have strengthened their Test bowling attack with Bumrah’s return while introducing separate squads for the five-match ODI series against New Zealand.
India have announced their squads for the upcoming Test and ODI series against New Zealand, with fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah returning to the Test setup and Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer set to captain the national side during different phases of the ODI campaign.
Bumrah Returns to India’s Test Squad
Bumrah’s inclusion is a significant boost for India as they prepare for the two-Test series. The fast bowler missed the team’s previous ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 fixture against Sri Lanka after initially being selected before his withdrawal.
India currently occupy fifth position in the World Test Championship standings and will be looking to strengthen their campaign. Bumrah’s experience and ability to exploit pace-friendly conditions could prove valuable during the New Zealand tour.
Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy will provide additional pace-bowling options. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar have been selected as spin-bowling all-rounders, alongside left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has also been named in the Test squad, subject to fitness clearance. Pant had missed India A’s tour of New Zealand after sustaining an injury during the domestic Irani Trophy.
India Announce Two ODI Squads
India have divided their ODI selections into two groups for the five-match series. Shubman Gill will captain the team during the opening three matches, with Shreyas Iyer serving as vice-captain.
The initial squad includes established players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj. Prasidh Krishna’s participation remains subject to fitness clearance.
For the final two ODIs, Iyer will take over the captaincy, while Gill, Rahul, Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna will make way for Tilak Varma, Auqib Nabi, Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur. Ishan Kishan will serve as vice-captain for the concluding matches.
The split-squad arrangement will allow selected Test players to prepare for the longer format after completing their ODI commitments.
New Zealand Tour Schedule
The ODI series begins in Auckland on November 4, followed by matches in Wellington on November 7 and Hamilton on November 10. The fourth and fifth ODIs will take place in Mount Maunganui on November 13 and 15, respectively.
The Test series starts in Wellington from November 19 to 23, with the second match scheduled in Christchurch from November 27 to December 1.
India will aim to build momentum in the limited-overs contests before turning their attention to the World Test Championship campaign.