Full Breakdown
India Announces ODI and Test Squads for New Zealand Tour
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Squad announcements and captaincy plan
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the line-ups for the New Zealand tour. India will play a five-match ODI series starting Nov 4 at Eden Park, Auckland, followed by two Tests beginning Nov 19 in Wellington and ending Nov 27 in Christchurch.
Shubman Gill captains the first three ODIs and both Tests; Shreyas Iyer takes over for the final two ODIs. Jasprit Bumrah is omitted from the ODIs but retained for the Tests. Fast bowlers Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj return to the Test squad after injury, and Kumar Kushagra receives his maiden ODI call-up for the last two games.
Background & Context
The Tests count toward the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs serve as preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The itinerary follows a five-match T20I series that began Oct 22.
Key Figures & Groups
- Shubman Gill – captain for the first three ODIs and both Tests.
- Shreyas Iyer – captain for the final two ODIs.
- Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli – featured in all five ODIs.
- KL Rahul – part of the first three ODIs.
- Ishan Kishan – vice-captain for the last two ODIs.
- Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj – fast bowlers recalled for the Tests (also in the first three ODIs).
- Jasprit Bumrah – excluded from ODIs, retained for Tests.
- Mohammed Shami – omitted from both squads; has asserted his fitness.
- Rishabh Pant – selected for the Tests, pending fitness clearance.
Data & Statistics
- ODI squad size: 16 players for each half of the series.
- Test squad size: 16 players.
- Fast-bowling additions: Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur (ODI debut), Auqib Nabi (ODI debut).
- Wicket-keeping options: KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Kumar Kushagra (ODI debut), Rishabh Pant (subject to fitness).
- Spin selections: Ravindra Jadeja (Tests), Kuldeep Yadav (both formats).
Official Statements & Responses
The BCCI said the split captaincy lets Gill focus on the Tests while giving Iyer leadership experience in the latter ODIs. The board noted that adding Deep and Kamboj strengthens the pace attack ahead of the Tests.
Mohammed Shami publicly maintained his fitness and readiness to contribute if selected. Selections for Pant and Prasidh Krishna are listed as “subject to fitness clearance.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some outlets list Pant and Krishna as pending medical approval, while others note their inclusion without qualification. No definitive confirmation has been published.
What’s Next
- ODI series: Nov 4, 7, 10, 13, 15.
- Test series: Nov 19 (Wellington) and Nov 27 (Christchurch).
- India A matches: Three multi-day games against New Zealand A before the Tests, providing extra preparation for the pace bowlers.
The squads and schedule set the stage for a tour that will impact India’s position in the World Test Championship and the lead-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.