India’s 2026 tour of New Zealand has begun taking shape with the BCCI confirming the squads for the T20I series and India A’s multi-day assignment. India and India A squads for New Zealand tour announced is the latest major update for fans following the upcoming India vs New Zealand series.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the senior T20I side, while Dhruv Jurel has been appointed captain of India A. The selections also bring Bhuvneshwar Kumar back into India’s T20I setup after a long international absence. Rishabh Pant has been picked for India A, although his participation is subject to fitness. The ODI and Test squads have not been announced yet, but their schedules have already been confirmed.
India and India A Squads for New Zealand Tour Announced
The BCCI has confirmed two squads for different assignments on India’s New Zealand tour. The senior team will play a five-match T20I series, while India A will face New Zealand A in three multi-day matches.
India T20I Squad for New Zealand 2026
India has selected a 16-player squad for the T20I series, with Shreyas Iyer appointed captain and Tilak Varma named vice-captain.
The complete India T20I squad is Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.
India A Squad for New Zealand A
India A will play three multi-day matches against New Zealand A, with Dhruv Jurel named captain.
The complete India A squad is Dhruv Jurel (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Auqib Nabi, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Manav Suthar, Mukesh Choudhary, Sai Sudarsan, Yash Rathod and Mukesh Kumar.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns to India’s T20I Setup
The return of Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of the biggest talking points from the senior squad announcement. Bhuvneshwar last represented India in November 2022. His selection brings an experienced limited-overs fast bowler back into the national setup after an extended absence.
He has played a major role in India’s limited-overs cricket over the years, particularly as a new-ball bowler. His experience gives the current pace group another option alongside Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav. Bhuvneshwar’s selection should also be distinguished from India A. He is part of the senior India T20I squad, not the India A squad.
Rishabh Pant’s India A Selection Is Subject to Fitness
Rishabh Pant has been included in the India A squad, but his selection is subject to fitness. The condition means his participation in the three multi-day matches depends on his fitness status before the series. His inclusion should therefore not be treated as an unconditional confirmation of his availability.
Pant’s experience adds value to the India A group, which already has Dhruv Jurel as its captain and wicketkeeper-batter. His involvement could also give him useful match practice in a multi-day setting, provided he is cleared to play.
India vs New Zealand T20I Schedule 2026
The first two matches will be played in Christchurch before the series moves to Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton.
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st T20I | October 22, 2026 | Christchurch |
| 2nd T20I | October 24, 2026 | Christchurch |
| 3rd T20I | October 27, 2026 | Wellington |
| 4th T20I | October 30, 2026 | Auckland |
| 5th T20I | November 1, 2026 | Hamilton |
India A vs New Zealand A Schedule 2026
The three fixtures form a separate multi-day assignment for India A during the wider New Zealand tour.
| Match | Dates | Venue |
| 1st Multi-Day Match | October 24–27, 2026 | Lincoln |
| 2nd Multi-Day Match | October 31–November 3, 2026 | Christchurch |
| 3rd Multi-Day Match | November 7–10, 2026 | Lincoln |
India vs New Zealand ODI Schedule 2026
India and New Zealand will play five ODIs after the T20I series. India’s ODI squad has not yet been announced.
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st ODI | November 4, 2026 | Auckland |
| 2nd ODI | November 7, 2026 | Wellington |
| 3rd ODI | November 10, 2026 | Hamilton |
| 4th ODI | November 13, 2026 | Bay Oval, Tauranga |
| 5th ODI | November 15, 2026 | Bay Oval, Tauranga |
India vs New Zealand Test Schedule 2026
India’s Test squad is still awaited, so the current BCCI announcement does not confirm which players will feature in the two Tests. The Test series will conclude the senior team’s New Zealand tour.
| Test | Dates | Venue |
| 1st Test | November 19–23, 2026 | Wellington |
| 2nd Test | November 27–December 1, 2026 | Christchurch |
Why the India A Series Matters
The India A matches provide selected players with an opportunity to spend more time in multi-day cricket and adjust to New Zealand conditions. The format allows batters to build longer innings and bowlers to work through extended spells. That makes the three fixtures different from the senior team’s T20I schedule and potentially useful for players preparing for longer-format opportunities.
The India A squad also brings together established international players and emerging names. Jaiswal, Rahul, Pant and Washington Sundar already have senior experience, while the rest of the group will have an opportunity to strengthen their claims through performances on the tour.
For Dhruv Jurel, the matches also offer a chance to develop his leadership experience while managing a squad that contains several established players.
Key Takeaways From the Squad Selection
The selections bring together experienced international players and promising young talent. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is among the notable names in the T20I squad, alongside established players such as Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma.
For India A, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar add international experience, while Dhruv Jurel will lead the side in the three multi-day matches.
What Squads Are Still Awaited for India’s New Zealand Tour?
The current BCCI announcement confirms India’s T20I squad and India A squad. The ODI and Test selections are still pending. This means the complete player list for India’s multi-format New Zealand tour is not available yet. Players selected for the T20I series or India A assignment should not automatically be considered confirmed members of the ODI or Test squads. The upcoming selections will reveal India’s plans for the five-match ODI series and the two Tests that follow.
Conclusion
The India and India A squads for New Zealand tour announced by the BCCI confirm the first major player selections for India’s 2026 assignment. Shreyas Iyer will lead the T20I team, while Dhruv Jurel will captain India A against New Zealand A.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return adds experience to the T20I bowling group, while Rishabh Pant’s India A selection remains subject to fitness.
The wider tour will feature five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests for the senior side, along with three multi-day matches between India A and New Zealand A. The ODI and Test squad announcements are still pending and will complete India’s selections for the full New Zealand tour.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many T20I matches will India play in New Zealand in 2026?
India will play five T20I matches against New Zealand, beginning on October 22 and ending on November 1, 2026.
Q2. How many matches will India A play against New Zealand A?
India A will play three multi-day matches against New Zealand A during the 2026 tour.
Q3. When will the India vs New Zealand ODI series begin?
The five-match ODI series is scheduled to begin on November 4, 2026, in Auckland.
Q4. Where will the India vs New Zealand Test matches be played?
The two Tests are scheduled to take place in Wellington and Christchurch, with the first Test starting on November 19.
Q5. When will India’s New Zealand tour end?
The senior team’s tour will conclude with the second Test in Christchurch, scheduled from November 27 to December 1, 2026.