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

By Admin

24 Dec, 2025

Preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have taken centre stage as New Zealand name strong ODI and T20I squads for their upcoming tour of India.

World Cup Focus Shapes Selection

New Zealand Cricket has officially announced its ODI and T20I squads for the India tour, with selections clearly aligned to long-term preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

The tour comprises three ODIs followed by a five-match T20I series, offering the Black Caps a crucial platform to adapt to sub-continent conditions, particularly spin-friendly pitches that differ vastly from home conditions.

Leadership Roles Defined

Leadership duties have been split across formats to manage workloads and develop depth:

• Mitchell Santner will captain the T20I side, marking an important phase in his return from injury.
  
  

• Michael Bracewell has been named ODI captain, continuing his rise as a leader in New Zealand’s white-ball setup.
  
  

New Zealand T20I Squad vs 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

Key takeaways include the return of Kyle Jamieson, Mark Chapman, and Matt Henry, adding experience and balance. Emerging talents such as Bevon Jacobs and Tim Robinson have been rewarded for consistent domestic performances.

New Zealand ODI Squad vs 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

The ODI squad blends experience with youth, with fresh inclusions aimed at building depth ahead of a packed international calendar.

Rest, Rotation and Workload Management

Several players, including Jacob Duffy, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will O’Rourke, and Blair Tickner, have been rested or ruled out due to injury and workload management. This cautious approach reflects New Zealand’s broader strategy as they balance commitments across formats, including the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27.

The T20I squad will also be strengthened later in the series, with players joining after completing franchise commitments, ensuring near full strength before the final T20 World Cup squad is named in mid-January.

Opportunities for Emerging Players

The tour marks a significant milestone for Jayden Lennox, who has earned his maiden international call-up following impressive performances for New Zealand A. Kristian Clarke, another uncapped talent, has also been included in the ODI squad, highlighting the selectors’ confidence in emerging players.

Coach Emphasises Sub-Continent Exposure

Head coach Rob Walter underlined the importance of touring India at this stage of the World Cup cycle:

“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.”

Looking Ahead

With a mix of seasoned campaigners and promising newcomers, the India tour represents a vital step in New Zealand’s roadmap to the T20 World Cup 2026. The experience gained against a top-quality Indian side, in challenging conditions, could prove decisive as the Black Caps fine-tune combinations and strategies for the global stage.