India Squad for New Zealand T20 Series Announced; New Vice-Captain Named, Two Players Make a Comeback
New Delhi:
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced Team India’s squad for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand , and the selection has brought several notable changes.
Alongside preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026, the Indian selectors have opted for a refreshed lineup, including a new vice-captain and the return of two key players.
Interestingly, the squad selected for the New Zealand T20 series is the same team chosen for the T20 World Cup 2026, highlighting India’s long-term planning and focus on building a settled core ahead of the global tournament, which will be hosted in India.
Axar Patel Appointed New Vice-Captain
The biggest talking point from the squad announcement is the change in the vice-captaincy role. All-rounder Axar Patel has been named the new vice-captain of India’s T20 side, replacing the previous deputy. Axar will serve as vice-captain both in the New Zealand series and during the T20 World Cup 2026.
This decision reflects the team management’s growing trust in Axar Patel’s consistency, match awareness, and all-round contribution. Over the past few seasons, Axar has established himself as a dependable performer with both bat and ball, especially in pressure situations.
New Zealand Tour Part of World Cup Preparation
With the T20 World Cup 2026 scheduled to be hosted in India, the upcoming home series against New Zealand is being seen as a crucial preparatory assignment. The selectors have clearly used this opportunity to finalize combinations, assess player form, and provide extended exposure to those likely to play a key role in the World Cup.
The New Zealand series will allow Team India to test its balance against a strong international side known for its discipline and adaptability in T20 cricket.
Ishan Kishan Replaces Shubman Gill
Another major change in the squad is the exclusion of Shubman Gill from the T20 setup for this series. In his place, Ishan Kishan has earned a recall, following his outstanding performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025.
Kishan was in sensational form during the domestic T20 tournament, scoring over 500 runs and smashing 33 sixes, making him the only batter to cross the 500-run mark in the competition. His aggressive batting at the top of the order impressed selectors and played a decisive role in his return to the national side.
In contrast, Shubman Gill struggled for runs in the recent T20 series against South Africa, managing just 32 runs across three innings, which reportedly influenced the selection decision.
Jitesh Sharma Dropped, Rinku Singh Returns
Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has also been dropped from the T20 squad for the New Zealand series. Meanwhile, Rinku Singh has made a much-anticipated comeback after missing out on the South Africa T20 series.
Rinku’s return adds depth and finishing strength to the middle order. Known for his calm temperament and ability to score quickly at the death, Rinku remains a valuable option as India fine-tunes its batting lineup ahead of the World Cup.
Leadership and Core Group Remain Stable
Suryakumar Yadav continues as the captain of India’s T20 team, reflecting the management’s confidence in his leadership and batting prowess. Senior players like Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep यादव also retain their places, ensuring experience and stability within the squad.
The bowling unit remains well-balanced, combining pace and spin options suited to Indian conditions as well as international challenges.
India Squad for New Zealand T20 Series
- Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper)
- Ishan Kishan
- Hardik Pandya
- Tilak Varma
- Axar Patel (Vice-Captain)
- Shivam Dube
- Washington Sundar
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
- Rinku Singh
Big Opportunity Ahead
With the T20 World Cup just around the corner, the New Zealand series presents a golden opportunity for players to cement their places. Performances in this series could play a decisive role in shaping India’s final World Cup combination.
As expectations rise and competition intensifies, all eyes will be on how this revamped Indian side performs against New Zealand in the upcoming T20 clashes.