New Zealand squads set for India tour as T20 World Cup looms

The five-match T20I series, which follows three ODIs, is seen as a crucial opportunity for the Black Caps to acclimatise to sub-continent conditions ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on February 7.

Mitchell Santner will lead the T20I side as he continues his return from injury, while Michael Bracewell has been appointed captain for the ODI series.

T20I Squad v India

Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Bevon Jacobs, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Ish Sodhi

Several senior players return across the two formats, alongside a number of emerging names rewarded for strong recent performances, including the likes of Jayden Lennox, Kristian Clarke, Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson, as well as Michael Rae,who made his debut in the second Test against the West Indies.

Kyle Jamieson features in both formats following his recovery, while Mark Chapman and Matt Henry are set to return in the T20Is

ODI Squad v India

Michael Bracewell (c), Adi Ashok, Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Will Young

Players like Jacob Duffy, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will O’Rourke and Blair Tickner have been rested or ruled out due to injury management and workload considerations, as New Zealand carefully manage workloads ahead of a busy calendar, where they also compete in the ICC World Test Championship 25-27.

The T20I squad will be bolstered later in the series by the arrival of players finishing franchise commitments, allowing New Zealand to field a near full-strength group before naming their final T20 World Cup squad in mid-January.

Head coach Rob Walter highlighted the value of touring India at this stage of the cycle, noting that exposure to spin-friendly conditions will be vital for New Zealand’s World Cup ambitions.

“Playing in the sub-continent is obviously very different to what we’re used to in New Zealand, so any opportunity we can get to expose our guys to those conditions can only be a good thing, especially prior to a T20 World Cup in the subcontinent.”

The tour also marks a major milestone for left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox, who has earned his maiden international call-up after consistent performances for the A side, while Kristian Clarke is another uncapped inclusion in the ODI squad.