India have confirmed the return of fast‑bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to the Test squad for the upcoming two‑match series against New Zealand. Bumrah, who missed the recent ICC World Test Championship 2025/27 encounter with Sri Lanka after being withdrawn from the squad, is now back in contention as the team sits fifth in the championship standings.
Bumrah’s role in a pace‑friendly New Zealand set‑up
The inclusion of Bumrah is described as a timely boost for a side that will face conditions in New Zealand expected to reward pace and bounce. Alongside him, India have named a quartet of additional fast‑bowling options: Mohammed Siraj, Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The quartet provides depth and variety, giving the team several choices to rotate the attack across the two‑day Test schedule.
While the source does not detail individual performance statistics, the selection of these bowlers indicates a strategic emphasis on heightening the speed and movement available to the Indian side. Bumrah’s experience in international cricket, combined with Siraj’s proven wicket‑taking ability, is likely to form the core of the attack, with Kamboj, Deep and Reddy offering supplementary support.
Spin and all‑round options round out the squad
India’s spin resources for the New Zealand tour feature a blend of experience and variety. Veteran all‑rounder Ravindra Jadeja and fellow all‑rounder Washington Sundar are listed among the spin‑bowling all‑rounders, offering both left‑arm orthodox and off‑spin options respectively. In addition, left‑arm unorthodox spinner Kuldeep Yadav remains part of the squad. Kuldeep featured in the first Test of the two‑game series against Sri Lanka but was omitted from the second Test after an ordinary performance in the opening match.
The presence of both conventional and wrist spin provides the team with flexibility to adapt to the slower, turning tracks that may develop later in the series. Jadeja’s all‑round capabilities, in particular, add depth to the lower order batting while contributing valuable spin overs.
Rishabh Pant’s conditional inclusion and parallel ODI plans
Wicket‑keeper batsman Rishabh Pant, who missed the India ‘A’ tour of New Zealand due to an injury sustained during the domestic Irani Trophy, has been named in the Test squad subject to fitness clearance. Pant’s potential participation adds another experienced batting option behind the stumps, complementing the primary wicket‑keeping duties of Shubman Gill, who is also the Test captain.
Alongside the Test selections, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced two distinct squads for the five‑match One‑Day International (ODI) series that will run concurrently with the Test fixtures. For the first three ODIs, the lineup includes Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul, Anshul Kamboj and Prasidh Krishna, the latter listed as subject to fitness clearance. After the third match, the squad will be reshuffled: Tilak Varma, Auqib Nabi, Kumar Kushagra and Yash Thakur will join the side for the fourth and fifth ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer taking over captaincy for the final two games.
The decision to separate the Test specialists from the ODI side underscores a strategic focus on preparing the longer‑format players for the challenges of New Zealand’s conditions while allowing the limited‑overs unit to maintain continuity and momentum across the five‑game series.
Full squad listings and match schedule
The complete Test squad named for the New Zealand tour comprises Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vice‑captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (subject to fitness), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj.
The ODI squads are detailed as follows. For the first three ODIs: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice‑captain), KL Rahul (wicket‑keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan (wicket‑keeper), Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna (subject to fitness) and Kuldeep Yadav.
For the fourth and fifth ODIs: Shreyas Iyer (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan (wicket‑keeper, vice‑captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Naman Dhir, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Arshdeep Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wicket‑keeper), Mohammed Siraj, Yash Thakur and Kuldeep Yadav.
The ODI series is scheduled as follows: the first match on 4 November in Auckland, the second on 7 November in Wellington, the third on 10 November in Hamilton, the fourth on 13 November at Mount Maunganui, and the fifth on 15 November at the same venue.
The Test series will commence on 19 November with the first Test in Wellington, running through 23 November, and conclude with the second Test in Christchurch from 27 November to 1 December.
Overall, the selections reflect a balanced approach, combining seasoned campaigners with emerging talent across both formats. Bumrah’s return, in particular, is positioned as a key factor in strengthening India’s pace attack ahead of the New Zealand tour, while the parallel ODI squads aim to sustain competitive performance in the limited‑overs arena.
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