Hamish Bennett recalled for India T20Is

First-choice seamers Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson have missed out due to injuries they picked up on the recent tour of Australia.

Bennett, yet to play a T20I, last played for the Black Caps in 2017 and has one Test and 16 ODI appearances under his belt.

“We’re delighted to have Hamish back in the fold for what will be a huge series against India,” said Gavin Larsen, New Zealand’s chief selector.

“Over the past few seasons he’s consistently been one of the top domestic white-ball bowlers and we’ve been impressed how he’s been able to evolve his game.

“We all know he brings good pace and bounce but it’s the clever variations he’s added that make him such a well-rounded T20 bowler.”

All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme will play the first three matches of the series until Tom Bruce takes his spot for the final two matches of the series.

Jimmy Neesham, who recently injured his quad muscle playing domestic cricket, has been included in New Zealand A’s squad for their three one-dayers against India A next week, but not in the T20I squad.

“We see both Daryl [Mitchell] and Jimmy as important all-rounders in the T20 format,” Larsen said. “With a travelling squad of just 13 and the need to balance the options for the series, Daryl gets this opportunity against India as a reward for his consistent form for the Black Caps.”

T20I squad: Kane Williamson (c), Hamish Bennett, Tom Bruce (matches 4-5), Colin de Grandhomme (matches 1-3), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee