India have announced their squad for the upcoming two-Test series against New Zealand, with Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj among the notable selections. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar have also been included as the selectors finalise the combination for the challenging overseas assignment.
Shubman Gill will lead the side, with KL Rahul appointed vice-captain. The squad features a blend of experienced campaigners and younger batters, while Rishabh Pant’s availability remains subject to fitness clearance following a side strain sustained during the Irani Cup.
Bumrah Returns to India’s Test Plans
Bumrah’s inclusion is one of the biggest talking points in the squad announcement. The fast bowler has not played a Test match in 2026 so far, having last featured during South Africa’s tour of India in late 2025.
His return could provide India with a significant boost in the pace department, particularly in conditions where movement and accuracy are expected to play important roles. His workload and match fitness will be closely monitored as the team prepares for the two-Test contest.
Pant has been named as the first-choice wicketkeeper, but his participation depends on receiving medical clearance. Dhruv Jurel has been selected as the second wicketkeeper and also offers the team another option in the middle order.
Rahul to Partner Jaiswal at the Top
India’s batting combination sees KL Rahul expected to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Devdutt Padikkal retains his place after an impressive performance on the Sri Lanka tour. Padikkal scored two centuries at No. 3 during that assignment, strengthening his position in the squad.
Sai Sudharsan has also earned a recall after missing the Sri Lanka tour because of a toe injury. His inclusion provides additional competition for a place in the top order, particularly at No. 3.
With Rahul serving as vice-captain, the team management will look to combine his experience with Jaiswal’s aggressive approach at the top. Padikkal and Sudharsan provide further batting depth as India prepare for the New Zealand conditions.
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Kamboj and Akash Deep Strengthen the Pace Attack
Anshul Kamboj has been recalled after making his Test debut during India’s 2025 tour of England. He was subsequently dropped but has now earned another opportunity to establish himself at the international level.
Akash Deep also returns to the Test squad after featuring in the Irani Cup. A lower-back injury before the IPL had kept him away from competitive cricket for nearly eight months. His last Test appearance also came during the England tour in 2025.
Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj retain their places, giving India several pace options alongside Bumrah, Kamboj and Akash Deep. The final selection will depend on fitness, form and the conditions encountered during the tour.
One notable omission is Auqib Nabi, the Jammu and Kashmir seamer who replaced Bumrah for the Sri Lanka Tests but remains uncapped in Test cricket. He has since made his ODI debut during the West Indies series but has not found a place in the Test squad.
Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar Included
Nitish Kumar Reddy returns to the Test setup after last featuring against South Africa in 2025. His all-round abilities could offer India greater flexibility in balancing the batting order and bowling attack.
Washington Sundar has also been selected after missing both Tests in Sri Lanka because of a hamstring injury. He joins Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja to complete the spin options.
Axar Patel and Manav Suthar have missed out, with the selectors opting for the combination of Jadeja, Sundar and Kuldeep for the series.
India’s Test Squad for New Zealand
- Captain: Shubman Gill
- Vice-captain: KL Rahul
- Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudharsan
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant (subject to fitness clearance), Dhruv Jurel
- All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar
- Fast bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj
- Spinner: Kuldeep Yadav
Tight Schedule Ahead of the First Test
The first Test is scheduled to begin in Wellington on November 19, just three days after the fifth and final ODI in Mount Maunganui. The short turnaround has prompted the BCCI to name a separate squad for the final two ODIs.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav are the only members of the Test squad also included in that ODI group.
With the tour schedule leaving limited time between formats, workload management and player fitness could prove crucial. India’s selection reflects an effort to maintain depth across the pace attack, strengthen the batting options and provide flexibility in the all-rounder department.
The two-Test series will offer Gill’s side another important overseas challenge, with the returning bowlers and the fitness of key players likely to influence India’s prospects.